Fishing

Last adventure report I called that I might not be done ice-fishing yet. I was not. Made it to more northerly parts of the state last week and crawled onto the ice one last time.  Believe me, my partner and I spent as much time checking to make sure we could get on and off and go where we wanted, as we did fishing.  Neither one of us ventured anywhere without the spud bar, ice picks and life jackets. You …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The trout lake at Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA) in Douglas County will open for family fishing beginning March 14. Nearly 13,000 11-inch rainbow trout have been stocked in preparation for the opener. “Nebraskans eagerly await the annual opening of the Two Rivers trout lake and spring trout fishing in general,” said Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “It’s a great opportunity to get outdoors with your family and …

Last month some of our wildlife biologists and fisheries biologists teamed up for a little project.  Many of our wildlife areas could use some cedar tree thinning.  Dropping them in the water will attract fish.  The recent effort I want to tell you about was done at East Gothenburg interstate lake.  Here are a few pictures: Those cedar trees will be in the water now, and there will be fish in them!

The news release went out earlier this week, so let me spread it around some more: Rainbow trout stockings scheduled this spring LINCOLN, Neb. – Catchable-size rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this spring, especially in urban areas. Trout fishing also is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. The stocked …

I am very sure not a single Nebraskan will ever forget 2019.  In fact this month of March is going to remind many of us of unpleasant memories. I have blogged several times about last year’s flooding and its impacts, but I want to return to the subject one more time.  Many of our fisheries resources were impacted by last year’s flooding, and yes, recovery is going to take some time. Recently, Eric Fowler published a comprehensive story on the …

A reminder: Applicants to see changes to archery paddlefish process LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications March 1-14. Applicants will notice some changes in the application process this year. The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time on March 1. Mail applications must be received in Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m. and online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 14. A person must be …

Got an opportunity for some volunteers to help us collect fish.  Just let me say this. . . . While reading the following call for help, remember that this work goes on regardless of weather conditions, in March, right after the ice has gone out.  You will be wet, you will be slimy, you will have snot dripping from the end of your nose and into your beard (beards strongly recommended).  You will also need to be dependable; if you …

OK, I am fully aware that our ice-fishing season is coming to an end.  Maybe some of you will not even care, but there is so much more that can be said about ice fishing.  We have not had a long enough season this year for me to say it all.  So, I am going to post this anyway.  If you do not get on the ice again until next year, well, maybe you will remember this. I love to …

Game and Parks Still Working to Recover For many Nebraskans, 2019 was a tough year. Historic flooding in March sent nearly every river in the eastern half of the state out of its banks, washing out highways, bridges, dams, levees, farms and homes, and killing four people and countless livestock. Flooding along the Missouri River in southeastern Nebraska continued throughout the year. More floods hit south-central Nebraska in July and the northeast in September. It is estimated that the flooding …

6 Things to Try This Spring When Fishing I’ve been catching fish for more than 60 years, and I’m always looking for something new to try. Whether you’re new to fishing or “seasoned” such as myself, here are a few things you should try this spring. Braided Line If fish are breaking your 15- to 20-pound monofilament, consider 50-pound braid. It has the same diameter as 15- to 20-pound mono, with more than twice the strength for big fish. This …