LINCOLN, Neb. – The dump station at Area 1 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) is currently closed. The dump station is closed for extensive repairs to the area’s septic system. Park staff anticipate the closure to last for some time. Dump stations in areas 4 and 11 remain open. Park staff recommend campers plan for longer waits than normal. Branched Oak SRA is located in Lancaster County. A valid Nebraska park entry permit is required for each vehicle …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers of all ages interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing are invited to attend Carp-O-Rama on June 23 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA). This free event will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Liebers Point. Carp caught by anglers will be used in demonstrations on cleaning, preparing and cooking the fish. The cooked fish then will be served as a free lunch. Other activities include fish printing and Dutch oven cooking …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Send in your vote to nominate Lake Ogallala as one of the Top 10 Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat in the Nation. The Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat was created for moms, by moms in partnership with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF). RBFF worked with moms across the nation to select one lake from each state that offers everything a family needs to experience the outdoors. Lake Ogallala made the list, and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider a staff recommendation to approve a proposed 2019 mountain lion season when it meets June 22 in Ogallala. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Mid-Plains Community College conference room, 512 East B St. A public hearing on the mountain lion recommendation will begin at 9 a.m. The proposed season would provide a harvest opportunity for up to eight mountain lions in two sub-units within the Pine …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A new, two-tiered spray park is now open at Platte River State Park (SP) near Louisville. The spray park, one of the only two-tiered spray parks in the region, includes various spray features, three waterslides, a waterfall, dump buckets and a fountain, among other water features. The upper level is designed for younger children and the lower level for older kids. It also has an area that may be reserved for birthday parties, as well as picnic …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Those planning to visit Pawnee State Recreation Area (SRA) in Lancaster County should be aware of upcoming road construction. Portions of Northwest 126th Street on the west side of the lake will be closed beginning June 12 while a culvert is replaced. Construction is expected to take approximately one week. The Area 2 and Area 3 campgrounds, which are accessible via Northwest 126th Street, will remain open during construction, and will be accessible via a detour. Those …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Applicants for antelope, deer and elk draw unit permits should be advised of a change to the payment system this year. Starting this year, fees of $5.50 for antelope, $7 for deer and $10 for elk are due at the time of application. The remaining permit fee is due, if a permit is awarded, within 15 days of draw notification. Applications will be accepted June 11-22 for the 2018 big game hunting seasons. The application period begins …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Applications for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Trout in the Classroom curriculum program are being accepted through Aug. 24. Certified teachers are encouraged to take part in this innovative program that brings a fish hatchery into the classroom. Students in grades 2 through 12 can learn about aquatic habitat, water quality, ecosystem interactions, food webs, and life cycles, while hatching and raising rainbow trout. Scholarships are available to provide assistance with some program costs. Participation and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Spring fish die-offs in Nebraska are not unusual. Reports of these fish kills – which have been due to natural causes – have come from a variety of water bodies across the state in recent weeks. “Winter is a hard time for fish, and they can experience stress coming out of the winter,” said Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Our relatively cold spring coupled with wild temperature swings and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy an outdoor adventure with family or friends and experience Nebraska parks by joining The Great Park Pursuit (GPP) for a chance to win prizes. The goal of GPP, a partnership between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Recreation and Park Association, is to promote active lifestyles while increasing awareness of the state’s nature-rich outdoor recreation opportunities. This is done by encouraging participants to visit up to 20 GPP sites located across Nebraska between …