open water fishing

In 2020, Norfolk resident Scott Buss put a long thought-out plan into action. He would travel the state and see how many species of fish he could catch — fishing public waters as much as possible. Like many anglers, Scott Buss of Norfolk began planning his 2020 fishing trips way before the year started. From researching stocking reports and fishing forecasts to talking to various anglers throughout the state, he began writing a list of where he wanted to fish. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – There is good news for south-central Nebraska trout anglers. Elm Creek in Webster County will be stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout March 31. The Calamus Fish Hatchery will stock the trout to enhance spring fishing opportunities. Fisheries biologists with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission evaluated the stream on Elm Creek Wildlife Management Area on March 29 and determined the flows were fairly high and the water clear. Several holes were found in the stream that will …

Our guys produced a short video I want to share with you.  Some recent wiper stocking: Great video!  Let me add just a couple of comments: You might notice the size of the fish was relatively large.  Yes, those wipers were approximately six inches long.  That is much larger than most wiper stockings we do.  In fact, those fish were raised in hatchery ponds.  They were raised over winter last winter to be stocked this spring. There are trade-offs with …

By Daryl Bauer Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Do you know what it means when the calendar approaches April Fool’s Day? No, it is not time to prank your fishing buddy. It is time for the walleyes to spawn. Many things can cue spawning in freshwater fish: weather, water temperature, moon phase, etc. One of the most important cues is the amount of daylight. For that reason, spawning tends to occur about the same time every year. …

It is springtime in Nebraska.  If you are serious about fishing, you are going to be on the water during some abhorrent weather conditions.  Otherwise, well, otherwise you ain’t fishing enough: Of course, if you are on the water like you should be, then folks think you are crazy: I had a day like that already this spring: The best part about it?  No one else fishing! However, this gentleman came swimming by, literally right by my feet: He thought …

It is early spring and our waters are cold.  Without a doubt I hear anglers ask more about water temperatures at this time of year than any other.  There may be some reasoning behind that, but water temperature may not be as important as some think it is. Don’t get me wrong.  I have carried a thermometer of some kind with me on every fishing trip since I was a kid.  I have logged water temperatures from thousands of fishing …

We have been sharing this video with folks who attended our virtual public meetings a couple of weeks ago.  It is a good video with excellent information; I want to share it with as many anglers as possible. Fisheries management in Nebraska, most of the country for that matter, is pretty much accomplished on a “user pays” basis.  You fund Nebraska fishing opportunities through the purchase of fishing permits and through excise taxes collected on the sales of fishing and …

I have spent my entire week answering the phone.  Almost every one of those calls was inquiring whether the spring, put & take trout had been stocked in one favorite waterbody or another.  I guess I understand, we have not published the exact dates of those stockings.  In the crazy coronavirus world we continue to live in, we do not want crowds gathering around stocking trucks.  So, the stocking schedule only says “The week of _______”. I swear, if we …

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year, early spring.  On one hand, who is not happy to see spring roll around?  On the other hand, I hate to quit ice-fishing. We get a few days of nice weather this time of year and everyone thinks they are a fisherperson.  On the other hand, in my opinion, early spring is some of the toughest open-water fishing of the year.  The water is still cold, the fish are not …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – From Auburn to Alliance, Nebraska’s beginner-friendly lakes stretch form border to border. These lakes have been designated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as family friendly because they are safe, comfortable and have great fish-catching potential. They include a combination of barrier-free fishing access, fishing trails, groomed parks, concessions, playgrounds, picnic areas, and maintained fish populations. The following are 10 of the best examples of lakes for beginners …