open water fishing

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. — A rainbow trout is as beautiful as its namesake, no matter where it appears. But come mid-October, this fish will be swimming in city park ponds and state park lakes across Nebraska. This is a rainbow anyone can easily catch. Here is how: Fishing gear and bait – Keep it simple! Simple rods and reels are best. Fancier ones work, but for young and old alike, the push-button spin-cast …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Keep your catch of fish as fresh as possible and you will be rewarded with a wonderful meal that is the finale to a fishing trip. In mid-October, trout will be stocked across Nebraska in small city park ponds and state park lakes. These pan-sized fish offer a person the delicious main course of a meal. From the lake to the table, every step is critical in making the best of what …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Nebraska is home to more than 100 fish species. Many of these will never be encountered on a fishing hook because their size, habits or habitats make them unavailable or undesirable to anglers. Most fish that can be caught by hook and line are designated as sport fish species. Nebraska offers opportunity for more than 40 of these species. It is good to know which sport fish you are catching since several …

By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission With fishing bait, you can use things fish want to eat, or things that look, smell like, or mimic things fish think they want to eat. You can use live, artificial or prepared baits to attract the fish to your hook using movement, vibration, color and/or scent. New anglers should learn the differences between types of baits and understand how to choose a bait for the type of fish he or she …

By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission For a novice angler, selecting fishing tackle can be intimidating. An angler will find a lot to pick from at the store. Aisles of items, in fact. Any angler can keep things basic for starters, especially with simple hooks, sinkers and bobbers. Hooks Hooks can be used with worms, minnows, prepared baits or plastic baits. They come in a variety of styles, sizes and colors. A good selection of hooks that will …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission How much time do you want to spend untangling your fishing line? Zero, none, never! While I cannot guarantee you a tangle-free life, there are ways to help spend more time fishing, and it starts by using the right gear for the conditions and your skill level. If you are teaching a beginning angler, here is what they need to know about rods, reels and line. Reels There are four types of …

By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Whether you intend to release a fish you catch or you plan to legally keep it, the fish should be handled properly. For the fish’s sake – and yours. Any caught fish that you do not intend to keep should be returned to the water immediately with as little stress to the fish as possible. That means minimal handling of the fish. One thing can make handling fish challenging: Fish are slimy, …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Having a successful fishing trip depends on how you plan for success. Planning will help regardless if your goal is to catch a state record fish, or escape from chores for the day. Remember that some days we catch fish on bare hooks, while others days we just go fishing. Prepare and plan to have fun and you will never be disappointed. The following are few planning tips and hints: Plan where …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Visit any fishing tackle store and you might be overwhelmed with the selection of what is “required” to go fishing. There are lures, jigs, plugs and poppers of every color and shape and rod and reels of every price range. The truth is that a stick, string, hook, weight and optional bobber is all it takes to have a fun evening of fishing at the lake. Let’s discuss what you really need. …

By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission A well-tied fishing knot can make the difference between a great day and heartbreak. For a new angler, landing a nice fish knowing the hook is secured by a strong knot is a satisfying feeling. On the other hand, losing that same fish with a subpar knot is disappointing – and unnecessary. Beginner anglers only need to learn how to tie a few knots, but they need to know how and why …