Conservation

From what I have been hearing the past couple of weeks, this should be on everyone’s playlist: Looks like a great weekend, turkeys are gobbling, fish are biting, GET OUT THERE!

I noted last week that spring was in full swing and I would be in the field as much as possible taking advantage of it.  That has been true and I have some turkey hunting stories to tell. . . . Before I get to that, you know I have been on the water this spring, literally went right from ice-fishing to open-water fishing, but I have not posted any fishing updates for a few weeks.  You also know that …

In the May issue of NEBRASKAland Magazine, you will find a story and photos about one of my favorite places in the Panhandle – an area that might sometimes be overshadowed by its neighbor. The Oglala Grassland is a region in northern Dawes and Sioux counties that borders Nebraska’s stunning Pine Ridge and the South Dakota border. The region is designated one of the Panhandle’s 11 designated biologically unique landscapes in the Natural Legacy Project – the state’s wildlife action …

There is no doubt that crappies are a popular fish in the spring.  They can be relatively easy to catch, accessible to every angler, even those fishing from the shore, and tasty on the table.  Given some warm spring weather, which we have finally seen the past few days, and folks are out to catch crappies.  But, there are a lot of misconceptions about crappies in the spring, and clearing some of those up might help you catch even more …

By the time you are reading this blog post, I may be in a panic.  We had so much winter in spring this year, and now it is finally nice and the spring is going to go too quick and I have too much to do!  I may not spend as much time on the blog here for a few days because I will be “out”.  I have some family celebrations to attend, and in the mean time there will …

Another angler access/aquatic habitat project to tell you about in this blog post: Pine Glen WMA project will improve Long Pine Creek for fish, anglers LINCOLN, Neb. – A project scheduled to start in June on Pine Glen Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Brown County will improve stream habitat on Long Pine Creek for fish and anglers alike. As a continuation of the cool-water stream program, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will build several in-stream habitat features that create …

OK, so last Sunday was “earth day”. Whatever. Forgive my cynical attitude, but I weary of special days for this and special days for that when what we need is people to do simple little things every day. . . . Like, pick up your trash.  Like PICK UP YOUR FISHING LINE! I was inspecting some new boat ramp work at a Nebraska reservoir last fall and with the water down also noticed old cedar trees that had been sunk …

As I have said several times already this spring, it is a busy time for Nebraska fisheries workers.  From the time the ice is gone, field work is in full swing.  Once again this year that included our efforts to collect pallid sturgeon brood fish from the Missouri River.  Here is the annual newsletter on those efforts. . . . Once again, if you want to see a “cleaner” version of that report, here is the .pdf, 2018 Broodstock Newsletter_draft4 . You …

I have warned you that this time of year there is pretty much only one thing on my mind.  Through the magic of technology I can prove that to you. . . . I had a dream last night, here is what happens EVERY TIME I yelp on a turkey call. . . . https://www.facebook.com/203398586930712/videos/203749893562248/ Maybe I just need to learn to whistle? Obviously, I found that video on the interwebs.  What is going on there, I have no idea, …

If you are a Nebraska outdoors-person you know that weather trumps everything and this spring has been nothing but a hand of wild cards.  I always say one of the best fishing options for early spring when the water is still cold is to pursue cold-water species like trout.  However, the weather is even having an impact on the trout fishing at the Two Rivers Trout Lake; only thing is it is not the impact you might expect: Trout anglers …