NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers must be aware of fishing regulation changes that take effect Jan. 1, 2021, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The changes are: Smallmouth Bass – Big Elk Lake (WP 7) and Portal Lake (WP 6), Sarpy County reservoirs under construction in 2020, each will have a smallmouth bass daily bag limit of two fish and 12-inch maximum length limit to protect larger smallmouths and allow harvest of smaller ones. Yellow Perch – Big Elk …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Applications for multispecies Super Tag and Combo lottery permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning Jan. 2, 2021. The Super Tag lottery permit will be valid for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). One permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for residents/nonresidents. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – In a year of above-average angling pressure, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently certified three state fishing records. Six records had been certified earlier in the year. The latest records are: • Matthew Wiederholt of Phillips set a surface spearing record when he took a 10-pound, 7-ounce silver carp – beating the old record by almost 4 pounds – on the Platte River in Hamilton County on Aug. 29. The fish was 31¼ inches long. • Tanner …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn brush piles throughout the winter as conditions allow. Many tree and shrub piles occur in areas where trimming has occurred, areas with storm damage or where trees have been cut to improve wildlife habitat. Removing piles when snow is on the ground is safer, and their removal allows for safer prescribed burns later in the year. It also facilitates the area to be seeded to desirable grasses and forbs. …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska’s annual First Day Hikes are a chance to explore trails, watch wildlife, snap photos and create a lifetime of memories. This year, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages families to take self-guided hikes between Jan. 1 and 3 at a Nebraska state park, state historical park, or state recreation area. Though parks usually offer guided tours, hot chocolate and more, this year’s First Day Hikes have been adjusted to account for the current public health situation. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has declared a fish salvage for Hackberry Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge south of Valentine from Dec. 18, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021. The lake was scheduled to have its existing fish population renovated during 2019 and 2020 as part of an Aquatic Habitat Project to eliminate common carp on the refuge. However, the renovation has been postponed multiple times due to wet conditions and unsuitable water levels. Salvages …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators of preschool-aged children are invited to the Jan. 19 virtual Birds and Books educator workshop, which focuses on using literature books to teach science concepts. Nebraska is home to more than 450 bird species, which can be found in nearly every habitat. Birds are easy to see and fun to watch, creating a fantastic opportunity to learn about science. Participants will receive bird-related and science-focused lesson ideas, bird-related literature books, Birds of Nebraska Field Guide and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – When Janice Spicha shot a northern pintail on a Harlan County duck hunt Nov. 18, she said “it was like winning the lottery.” Not because that bird gave her a Nebraska Duck Slam, making her the first female to complete it this season. “A pintail is kind of elusive out here at times,” the 73-year-old Alma hunter said. “I knew it would be the hardest duck to get. Pintails have been few and far between.” The Nebraska …

LINCOLN, Neb. – More rainbow trout are being stocked in Omaha, Lincoln and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park waters this month to provide excellent fishing opportunities this winter. Trout are being stocked the week of Dec. 14 at Omaha’s Standing Bear Lake (3,750 trout) and Mahoney’s CenturyLink Lake (3,500). A week earlier, Lincoln’s Holmes (3,000) and Bowling (400 in south pond) lakes, and Omaha’s Standing Bear (3,750) were stocked. For those who enjoy stream fishing, East Verdigre Creek near Royal …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Parks staff of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn brush piles the week of Dec. 14 at Mormon Island and Windmill state recreation areas. The burns at Mormon Island, in Hall County, and Windmill, in Buffalo County, will eliminate fuels and small predator habitat by burning dead tree limbs from storm damage. These burns will help keep the areas open for continued tree management.