open water fishing

This news item will not affect a lot of Nebraska anglers, but I always know there are at least a few who will want to know. . . . The canal system in central Nebraska provides some great fishing opportunities.  Fish can be caught from the canal itself with water control structures or “checks” being some of the best spots.  In addition, as the canal winds through canyon country water has filled some of those canyons creating additional fishing opportunities.  …

ALLIANCE, Neb. — As the ice melts and days get longer, spring fishing opportunities heat up in western Nebraska. Whether anglers want a Frye Lake crappie or a Fort Robinson trout, Joe Rydell, a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northwest district, said spring brings diverse angling opportunities throughout the region. From data gathered from last year’s fish surveys and other observations, Rydell has some predictions of where anglers will have success this spring. Some of his …

By now you are probably familiar with the invasive nuisance species silver carp.  You know, the “flying fish” that jump out of the water like crazy.  You have probably seen news reports or YouTube videos of them. I found another video this week that might be the biggest silver carp I have ever seen. If you watch the slo-mo replay, notice that fish tail slaps both rods in the rod holders.  If I did not know better, that looked maliciously …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Walton “Ed” Moore of North Platte was bank fishing at the Sutherland Reservoir inlet March 11 when a tiger trout took the minnow he was drifting slowly on the bottom of the lake. He reeled in the 6-pound, 13-ounce trout, which set a state record for rod-and-reel. The fish measured 25¾ inches in length. The previous state record trout caught on rod-and-reel was 5 pounds, 7 ounces. It also was caught at Sutherland Reservoir. Read all a …

Last week we held public informational meetings via “Zoom”.  We promised that those meetings would be taped and available.  Here they are: First, the statewide session: Next I believe was the southeast regional meeting: Then was the northeast region: After that, the northwest regional meeting: And last, the southwest regional meeting: I am sure contact information for all of our regional fisheries biologists is provided in each one of those videos.  If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact …

Without a doubt, when we get some warm weather in early spring, everyone has the fishing bug.  To encourage that “sickness” we will be stocking catchable-size rainbow trout in waters around the state again this spring.  Here is the list: Week of March 8 Bridgeport Bridgeport NW 700   Terrytown Terry’s Pit 1,500   Scottsbluff Scottsbluff Zoo Pond 900   Morrill North Morrill Pond 2,250   Morrill Middle Morrill Pond 450   Venice Two Rivers SRA 13,000   Week of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state in March to enhance fishing opportunities this spring, especially in urban areas. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. “Rainbow trout are especially good for beginners because they will bite readily on anything, including corn, wadded up pieces of bread or worms, and are easy and safe to handle,” said Larry Pape, …

Got this note from Brandon Maahs, one of our field biologists in north-central Nebraska: Need a new fishing hotspot? Be on the lookout for new artificial habitat structures in Merritt Reservoir this year. NGPC Fisheries staff have built and are ready to deploy at least 30 modified Georgia Cubes. Years of siltation, erosion, and decay of submerged trees has reduced the overall habitat complexity within Merritt Reservoir. Adding artificial habitat, such as these PVC cubes, can help replenish degraded natural …

It is been a while since I have ventured into hard-core science for one of my blog posts.  Time to do it again. You will notice the big word I used as the title of this post.  Unless you have had a limnology class or two, you may not have seen that word.  However, if you fish in Nebraska you need to know what it means and understand how it works. Let me explain. . . . All bodies of …

This is the first installment in a four-part series of articles on spring trout fishing in Nebraska. Next week: The history of trout in Nebraska. By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Ice on Nebraska lakes is typical through February, but by the middle of March, cattails should be sprouting along shorelines and fish should be moving into warming shallow water. Beautiful spring days, perfect for fishing, could occur with little notice. Be prepared to take …