NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. — A Colorado man died in a boating accident Saturday afternoon at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area. A Colorado Springs woman was injured in the same accident. Kevin Kiesow, 53, of Colorado Springs was taken to Ogallala Community Hospital, where he later was pronounced dead. Kim Lampe, 55, also of Colorado Springs, was admitted to the hospital and is recovering. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers responded to the report of an accident at 3:51 p.m. near …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, has been issued for Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. The same alert remains in effect at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Wagon Train Lake in Lancaster County. The alert has been removed at Rockford Lake in Gage County. Visitors to Pawnee (east and west beaches), Willow Creek and Wagon Train state recreation areas should avoid full-body contact activities that could lead to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is the mixed-bag capital of the Great Plains, and another fall of diverse upland bird hunting opportunities awaits hunters. The Southwest and Panhandle regions will provide the best hunting opportunities for pheasants this season, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook. These regions, along with the Northeast, had notable increases in counts during this year’s July Rural Mail Carrier Survey. Statewide, pheasant numbers were 5% higher compared to 2019, and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with Ducks Unlimited, are again challenging waterfowl hunters to participate in the Nebraska Duck Slam. The slam challenges hunters to harvest a teal (blue-winged or green-winged) of either sex, as well as drakes of three other species: an American wigeon, a mallard and a northern pintail. All ducks must be harvested in Nebraska, and hunters must upload a photo of each harvest at OutdoorNebraska.org/DuckSlam. Those who successfully complete the slam …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Nebraska is home to more than 100 fish species. Many of these will never be encountered on a fishing hook because their size, habits or habitats make them unavailable or undesirable to anglers. Most fish that can be caught by hook and line are designated as sport fish species. Nebraska offers opportunity for more than 40 of these species. It is good to know which sport fish you are catching since several …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area will close temporarily for upgrades to campground amenities. Cedar View Campground, located about 15 miles west of Kingsley Dam on Highway 92, will temporarily close for public access beginning on Sept. 9, 2020. The upgrades will include the installation of a replacement shower and restroom facility and accessible campsites. In the event that the campground may be re-opened safely during or between construction projects, the Nebraska Game …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12. September is a great month to get outdoors in Nebraska! Free Fishing and Park Entry Day allows anyone to explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park without the need to purchase a park entry permit for the day. It also allows anyone to fish for the day without a fishing permit. Anglers must observe …

ALLIANCE, Neb. – Visitors to public lands and other recreational sites in the Nebraska Panhandle are being advised of wildfires in the region, and are being asked to be especially cautious because the heightened risk for fires brought on by hot and dry weather. The Hubbard Gap Fire in the Wildcat Hills in Banner County south of McGrew had burned about 4,000 acres as of Friday afternoon. In addition to threatening and affecting private agricultural lands, early estimates indicate the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved the authorization of one lottery and one auction permit for the 2021 bighorn sheep season when it met Aug. 28 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. The Commission also approved recommendations to: • increase various 2021 nonresident fees, including for small game (hunt), fish, deer, antelope and turkey permits, antelope applications and the Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp for nonresident boats; • amend wildlife regulations to allow the agency director, in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters again are challenged to go afield with family and friends and harvest four upland bird species this fall to complete the Nebraska Upland Slam. The challenge of the Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever, is to harvest a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season. Successful hunters then go online to upload a photo of each harvested bird …