How To

The little one in your family is getting bigger. They’re walking. They’re running. They’re climbing. They’re grabbing things. They’re examining things. And yes, they’re even tasting things. The toddler in your family is bubbling over with personality and propelling themselves with their own two legs! Enter the toddler in our family, my grandson, Jackson. He is a restless little ball of energy and doesn’t want to miss anything! Jackson, at 16 months of age, prefers to get down and explore. He is inherently busy …

I want to publicize this class one more time! Become a certified youth fishing instructor April 1 LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors April 1 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. This free training will take place at the education center, located at 4703 N. 44th St., from 9 a.m. to noon. Fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will …

It is the time of year when folklore and science start to collide. But, about what?  I’ll tell you what. Morel mushrooms! The two aspects of nature begin to clash bout the emergence of the prized, delectable morel mushroom. So, let the coffee shop conversations and the biological banter move forward! Morel mushroom in Elkhorn River bottom woodlands in Sarpy County, NE. Photo by Greg Wagner/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These are just some of nature’s triggers that prompt longtime gatherers of the succulent …

So far this has been a typical early spring in Nebraska.  We have had beautiful warm days that have everyone revved-up and ready to fish, and then we have slap-in-the-face reality as the wind howls, the temperature drops below freezing, and it snows, again!  Welcome to springtime in Nebraska! The wild swings in weather make spring fishing especially frustrating, but fortunately we have a variety of fish that can be found in Nebraska waters including cold- and cool-water species that …

Last week I teased you with a couple pictures of some pike our Game & Parks Commission fisheries biologists have had their hands on already this spring.  I promised to give you some more details; let me keep that promise. . . . This will be the sixth year we have been tagging northern pike at Lake Wanahoo.  Without boring you with all of the details about that work, please go back and read these previous blog posts, if you …

As soon as the ice starts melting, my phone starts ringing–“When are the trout going to be stocked?” Well, now I know: Nebraska Game and Parks announces spring trout stocking schedule LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is stocking catchable-size rainbow trout in city ponds and lakes across the state in March to enhance spring fishing opportunities. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout is an excellent way for families to introduce young and new anglers to fishing as …

I blogged about a sandpit management workshop last week.  I intended that would be the only blog post about that, but within a half day after posting, I discovered there were more workshops scheduled.  So, I need to get the word out about those too: Sandpit lake management workshops scheduled in Weeping Water and Columbus LINCOLN, Neb. – Persons interested in sandpit lake management are invited to a series of free workshops this spring. The workshops are a joint effort of …

I suppose it is not really fair to blog about ice fishing when most waters in Nebraska are pretty much liquid now.  However, even as I write this there might be a place or two in the state where you can still get on the ice and catch some fish. . . just make sure you are very, VERY, careful. Ice Safety Tool Having said that, let me say that I will be on the ice as soon as possible …

I had a question on this at the Omaha Sport Show Saturday, so I thought it might be a good idea to spread the word a little more: Sandpit lake management workshop scheduled in Grand Island LINCOLN, Neb. – Persons interested in sandpit lake management are invited to a free workshop March 2 in Grand Island. The workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. U.S. Highway 34. Registration by Feb. 27 is …

I call these few months right after the first of the year “Sport Show” season.  This weekend is the big one, the Omaha Boat, Sports and Travel Show.  Might as well watch the promotional video: There will pretty much be something there for everyone, bring the whole family.  Stop by the “Goose Pit” and pick the brains of the experts; I know Keith Kavajecz is one of the very best walleye pros. I love wandering around sport shows and seeing …