How To

This news release went out at the end of last week, so I fully realize many folks have already heard about this, but I want to make sure everyone hears about it! Incident at Calamus is reminder to Clean, Drain and Dry August 31, 2017 LINCOLN, Neb. – A recent incident at central Nebraska’s Calamus Reservoir is a reminder for all water users – especially boaters – to clean, drain and dry their equipment after every use, according to the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With more than 90 hands-on activities that showcase outdoor education, sports and recreation, there is something for everyone at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo Sept. 16-17 at Ponca State Park. Those who attend the expo will be able to try a variety of outdoor activities, including archery, kayaking, fishing and more. The expo will also include live wildlife exhibits, exhibition shooting, a canine aquatics competition, a lumberjack show and much more. All activities are offered at no …

EDITOR’S NOTE:  This blog ain’t about Nebraska.  It IS about a lifestyle that includes family and fishing.  Even though this particular post is not Nebraska-centric, I suspect many of you will be interested in the adventures anyhow.  In fact, most of us have a list of waters in-state and out-of-state that we love to fish, let me drop the names of a few of them here. . . . My immediate family and I spent a week in Montana recently. …

To be a dove hunter you need to be creative.  Most of us have two or three good excuses at the ready for when we miss a relatively easy shot.  Dove hunters on the other hand, should have at least a solid half-dozen new ones anytime they head to the field.  “I’m still seeing dark spots since forgetting my glasses during the eclipse.” For example. However, if you are looking to add some local, wild-protein to your diet while spending …

The morning air is crisp and cold. Hardwood trees stand motionless and silent — faint brush strokes against the slowly lightening predawn sky. As light emerges, wild plants still green are bejeweled with dew. Small sounds begin to carve the creek bottom. A raucous calamity of crows can be heard in the distance. An assertive, vociferous blue jay appears on a limb. Two fox squirrels squabble amid the leaves on the woodland floor. The insistent nasal yammering of a white-breasted …

Today I want to blog about a little project some of our fisheries staffed did at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area (SRA), recently.  To give you a little background, I have to tell you about duckweed, a small aquatic plant. Duckweed is a common aquatic plant on some Nebraska waters, it is a small plant that floats on the surface.  It is NOT an algae, it actually has leaves and small roots.  Typically, duckweed grows on small waters that are …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a Becoming an Outdoors-Family Camp at Ashland’s Camp Carol Joy Holling Sept. 23-24. The camp is designed for families that are new and novice campers who are looking to get started camping but need a bit of encouragement. Families will enjoy the outdoors while fishing, hiking, bird watching, cooking outdoors, shooting, kayaking and much more. They will learn about nature, wildlife, aquatic life and the flora and fauna of …

All you bass anglers know about Texas rigging, but it is time for you to take up a notch! Sorry to give away secrets, but big fish love snausages.  I learned that from my cousin.  I know a lot of you are already fishing with snausages.  If you ain’t, you should be!

Our communications staff recently produced a 4-minute video on some ground-breaking and interesting work our fisheries production staff has been doing.  Yes, our state fish hatcheries and fish production staff produce millions of fish for stocking in Nebraska waters every year.  Recently they also have been dabbling in the production of freshwater, native mussels as well.  Watch the video, you will get the idea: Let me add some details to what the video told you.  Several species of freshwater mussels …

One of the biggest challenges of fishing is locating fish and understanding their behavior; that challenge is complicated because much of the time we cannot see the fish!  I am not a diver, cannot even swim very well, so I am fascinated by fish in aquaria, fascinated by underwater pictures of fish! A few weeks ago I referred to a blog and the website on which it was hosted, Engbretson Underwater Photography.  I love resources like that because they give …