Barbs and Backlashes

I have had several questions about the exceptionally low water at Box Butte Reservoir this fall.  If you have not seen it already, this news release should tell you why: Box Butte Reservoir to remain low for coming year HEMINGFORD, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reports the water level at Box Butte Reservoir will remain low for at least 12 more months as construction workers repair the dam’s toe drain system. During this period, the Commission encourages …

Quick blog post just before I head out the door.  Got a big, long weekend ahead of me.  If you want an idea of what I will be doing. . . . Yep, I will be helping empower women by teaching them outdoor skills!  And proud of it!  It is very rewarding and a lot of fun! I know it is not fair for me to mention this now, because if you are a woman and are interested, it is …

It is fall and Nebraska fisheries biologists are in the midst of their annual fish sampling activities on lakes, reservoirs, pits and ponds across the state.  It is a busy time of year.  The sampling of fish in our public waters is necessary to gauge the health of the fish populations in those waters and evaluate fisheries management activities like habitat enhancement, harvest regulations and stocking programs.  The data collected from our fish communities is invaluable to pointy-headed fisheries biologists. …

I realize this has been publicized in a lot of places, I am going to do it here too. . . . Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launches new permit site LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks system has launched a new website for the sale of hunting, fishing and state park permits.  The site, which went live on Sept. 28, offers improved navigation, mobile responsiveness and many other features, including: -Information about each type of permit offered …

I caught a freshwater drum the other day, as far as drum go, a pretty nice one.  It just hammered my crankbait. Reminded me of this song. I categorically deny that I have a drum tattoo on my chest.  Do not have any piercings either. Have a great weekend everyone, GO FISH, see if you can dry off a drum.

No matter how you define it, we are now in the fall season.  There are no calendars in nature; seasons gradually morph from one into another.  Below the surface of our Nebraska waters, fall started weeks ago. I know folks are busy with a lot of activities in the fall, and many of them will reach for their sticks & strings, scatter guns, and smoke poles rather than fishing poles.  Just know that fall provides some of the best open-water …

I like to give updates whenever I can on some of the fish sampling our Game & Parks fisheries biologists are doing around the state.  Admittedly, in most of those updates I have showed pictures of fish sampled from our state’s lakes, reservoirs, pits and ponds.  We also do work on a variety of rivers and streams in Nebraska including cold-water streams that support year-around, reproducing populations of trout.  I mentioned some of that cold-water stream sampling earlier this year, …

Our FaceBook Live broadcasts have gone well, so we are going to do another one!   Tune in to our Game & Parks FaceBook page at 12:00 central time, tomorrow, Friday, September 22, and I will answer fish and fishing questions as fast as I can for thirty minutes, and then follow-up with some more on-line after that. Naturally, fall fishing will be the focus of this “broadcast”, but if you have other fish or fishing questions to ask, do not hesitate!

Catchable-size rainbow trout are coming to a water near you! Rainbow trout stockings scheduled this fall LINCOLN, Neb. – Catchable-size rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. A spinning or spin-cast rod and reel with a hook baited …

The lakes on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge have been some of the most unique and best fisheries in Nebraska for a long, long time.  Several generations of Nebraskans have stories of pulling big beautiful panfish, pike, and largemouth bass through ice holes drilled on those Valentine Refuge lakes.  The open-water fishing has provided just as many memories. In conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service which owns and operates the refuge, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission through …