Fishing

LINCOLN, Neb. – Walton “Ed” Moore of North Platte was bank fishing at the Sutherland Reservoir inlet March 11 when a tiger trout took the minnow he was drifting slowly on the bottom of the lake. He reeled in the 6-pound, 13-ounce trout, which set a state record for rod-and-reel. The fish measured 25¾ inches in length. The previous state record trout caught on rod-and-reel was 5 pounds, 7 ounces. It also was caught at Sutherland Reservoir. Read all a …

Last week we held public informational meetings via “Zoom”.  We promised that those meetings would be taped and available.  Here they are: First, the statewide session: Next I believe was the southeast regional meeting: Then was the northeast region: After that, the northwest regional meeting: And last, the southwest regional meeting: I am sure contact information for all of our regional fisheries biologists is provided in each one of those videos.  If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact …

Without a doubt, when we get some warm weather in early spring, everyone has the fishing bug.  To encourage that “sickness” we will be stocking catchable-size rainbow trout in waters around the state again this spring.  Here is the list: Week of March 8 Bridgeport Bridgeport NW 700   Terrytown Terry’s Pit 1,500   Scottsbluff Scottsbluff Zoo Pond 900   Morrill North Morrill Pond 2,250   Morrill Middle Morrill Pond 450   Venice Two Rivers SRA 13,000   Week of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state in March to enhance fishing opportunities this spring, especially in urban areas. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. “Rainbow trout are especially good for beginners because they will bite readily on anything, including corn, wadded up pieces of bread or worms, and are easy and safe to handle,” said Larry Pape, …

Some of you may have seen mention of this in the news already: Game and Parks urges public to check aquariums for invasive zebra mussels LINCOLN, Neb. – After a recent discovery of invasive zebra mussels within Marimo or “moss” balls used in aquarium tanks, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is urging the public to take precautions to prevent the spread of this highly destructive species. A container of Marimo balls sold as “Betta Buddy” was first found to …

My son and I do not get to fish together all the time.  Still it is nice knowing that even though we are separated by miles, we are on the water.  Maybe apart for now, but still on the water.  In fact it is interesting how often we are doing the same things even though we are fishing individually. For example, each winter we target big bluegills, 10-inches and larger, just like we get after muskies in open water.  At …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The trout lake at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Douglas County will open Saturday, March 6 for family fishing. The lake will be stocked with 10,000 11- to 12-inch rainbow trout in time for the opener. All trout caught in the lake must be harvested and not released. Anglers first must purchase from the park office a daily trout tag for $6. Each tag is good for a daily bag limit of four trout. A person …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout from four ponds at Schramm Park State Recreation Area will be stocked at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s CenturyLink Lake on March 2. These trout, which range in length from 12 to 18 inches, will be salvaged from the park’s four canyon ponds. By comparison, trout stocked in annual spring stockings are approximately 10 inches in length. The ponds are being temporarily drained so they and the spring that supplies them can be evaluated. This …

This is the second installment in a four-part series of articles on spring trout fishing in Nebraska. Next week: 2021 spring trout stocking schedule. By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Trout are more likely to be found in Nebraska than elephants. Prehistorically, though, this probably was not true. The fossilized presence of mammoth in Nebraska is well described, but trout’s earliest recorded occurrence is from stocking by early Nebraska fish culturists and enthusiasts. Previous to …

Got this note from Brandon Maahs, one of our field biologists in north-central Nebraska: Need a new fishing hotspot? Be on the lookout for new artificial habitat structures in Merritt Reservoir this year. NGPC Fisheries staff have built and are ready to deploy at least 30 modified Georgia Cubes. Years of siltation, erosion, and decay of submerged trees has reduced the overall habitat complexity within Merritt Reservoir. Adding artificial habitat, such as these PVC cubes, can help replenish degraded natural …