NGPC News

Horseback riding is a great way to get outdoors and see the diverse beauty of Nebraska — via miles of extensive equestrian trails in your state parks. With beautiful scenery, amenities for horse and rider, and considerable acres to roam, here are nine Nebraska Game and Parks locations every equestrian should put on their list for this year. Fort Robinson State Park: Located in Nebraska’s scenic Pine Ridge, Fort Robinson is truly a horse rider’s paradise. The park offers 20 …

When not on a shoreline or the water pursuing fish this spring, anglers can use the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s website as a resource to prepare for the next outing. Many anglers already buy their Nebraska fishing permits online. But by spending some time on the website, anglers of all experience levels may discover something new about fishing in the state. Among the fishing-related topics to browse are: Interactive maps – Click on Maps at the top of OutdoorNebraska.org to …

Aquatic Habitat improvement projects are underway at Summit Lake and Wagon Train Lake in eastern Nebraska that affect angler and boater access. Summit Lake’s water level is 8 feet below normal. Removal of sediment from the lake’s south basin is almost complete; construction will move to the west sediment basin. The Summit project is nearly 50% complete, but boaters can expect limited access for watercraft launching this season until the water level returns to normal. Construction at Wagon Train has …

By Daryl Bauer There is no doubt the fish species that can send the largest number of anglers to the banks during the spring outbreak of fishing fever is crappies. Everyone loves to sit on a shoreline on a warm afternoon and experience a good crappie bite. On the other hand, with schizophrenic weather changes, no other species of fish can be more frustrating than spring crappies. Consistently successful anglers always are adapting. What can an angler do to maximize the …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in May. Here are several opportunities: Bird Crawl in Venture Parks is May 14 Migrate to the Platte River valley May 14 for a daylong birding adventure. To celebrate Nebraska Bird Month and International Migratory Bird Day, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hosting Bird Crawl in the Venture Parks.  Registered participants will receive an itinerary to guide them, from 10 a.m. to 4 …

Nebraskans of all ages are invited to participate in the City Nature Challenge, a global event to find and document urban wildlife. The challenge, which is April 29 to May 8, is a chance to look for nature in urban areas and learn about the animal and plant life discovered there. Using the free iNaturalist app, participants will photograph wildlife and upload their observations to the app between April 29-May 2. They’ll then help identify observations between May 3-8. Wildlife …

The temporary ban on campfires remains in effect at central and western Nebraska state parks as drought conditions have triggered extreme fire danger. Additional parks may be added if drought conditions persist. Because of regularly changing conditions, guests should call park areas prior to arrival to determine whether a fire ban is in effect. Parks will make determinations by working with local emergency managers and fire departments. Those recreating in areas where campfires are allowed should use extreme caution and …

Take ’em Fishing is all about sharing the experience of the sport. It’s about the excitement of feeling the tug of the line in your fingers for the first time. About the sound of someone’s first catch — big or small. It’s about the memories made. And the adventures to come. Participants in the 2022 Nebraska Game and Parks fishing challenge will have a chance to win adventure through this year’s four grand prizes: three Stay and Play fishing adventures, …

Due to drought conditions and extreme fire danger, many Nebraska state recreation areas and some wildlife management areas are temporarily banning campfires until further notice. Although everyone should be cautious when using fire throughout Nebraska, the list of areas with temporary closures includes: Southwest Region: Medicine Creek, Red Willow, Swanson, Enders, Sutherland and Buffalo Bill SRAs Southern Panhandle Region: Lake McConaughy, Lake Ogallala, Lake Minatare and Wildcat Hills State SRAs, and Ash Hollow State Historical Park Central Region: Sherman and Victoria …

Wildlife enthusiasts can observe the courtship ritual of the greater prairie-chicken in southeastern Nebraska. Approximately 20 birds have been using a lek at Burchard Wildlife Management Area in Pawnee County. A lek is a specific area where the birds gather to display their mating rituals year after year. The public is invited to view the spectacular mating rituals of the male prairie-chickens. Viewers will be able to interact in the bird’s environment and see the importance for conservation of habitat …