Fishing

This just dropped on our main Game & Parks Commission FaceBook page, might as well share it around: This year marks the 25th year of Nebraska’s Aquatic Habitat Program! The first of its kind in the nation in 1997, the program has since succeeded in: Generating more than $90 million for improvements to 137 water bodies. Enhancing aquatic ecosystems by implementing restoration techniques in-lake and in the watersheds that feed them. Improving accessibility to the water, through the installation of …

Well, we are officially past the opening summer holiday weekend.  So, it is summer, now!  This would be a good time to put out a reminder about all of our community fishing events: Another season of family fun scheduled with Community Fishing Events Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for another spring and summer of fun with Community Fishing Events. Community Fishing Events provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in …

All of us who love to fish have a story or two about the one that got away, don’t we? Invariably, the tale involves hooking the fish of a lifetime and losing it to unforeseen circumstances or mistakes. Trust me, I have made my share of mistakes when it comes to large, prized game fish. Your blogger mishandling a nice-sized channel catfish. Photo by Rich Berggren/Conservation Officer with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Without question, these stories, however embellished, …

Like many of you, I am out the door for the long, Memorial Day weekend!  Time for a short blog post before I go. . . . Fish are biting.  I know there will be a lot of folks “wet a line” this weekend, and they should!  I have often said that May and June are two of the best months for fishing open-water in Nebraska.  We are right in the middle of that now, a variety of species are …

We are on the eve of the big kick-off weekend for Summer 2022!  Great time for a reminder: After record year, Game and Parks reminds boaters to help stop aquatic invasive species While many Nebraskans are eager to enjoy Memorial Day weekend boating, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges them to be wary of pesky hitchhikers that invade the state’s waters. To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, Game and Parks watercraft inspectors will be checking boats before …

Monday blog post, spreading the word on a news item: Gracie Creek Pond temporarily closed to access as work begins on rehabilitation project The Gracie Creek Pond in Loup County will be closed temporarily to fishing and public access as work on its rehabilitation will begin with equipment mobilization May 23. The project will continue through the summer. Angler access will continue downstream of Nebraska Highway 96 and pond outlets. This popular trout fishing pond, located at the upper end …

Some of you may have seen these short, advertising spots: Not much else to say!  It is the weekend, it is time to GO FISH!  I will always tell you that May and June are the best months for open-water fishing in Nebraska, a variety of species, a variety of waters.  Well, look at the calendar, it is that time NOW.  Do not pass “GO”, do not “collect $200”, just go fish!  Pick a water and get out there, they …

It was a long time ago, but I can still see it clearly. . . an early summer day, beautiful day, great day to be fishing.  We were fishing with Gramps Roth, a gravel pit just off the Elkhorn River was one of his favorite spots.  Sometime after an hour or two of fishing, we spotted something chasing “minnows” over along the north bank.  Gramps decided he should head over there, I tagged along. I was fishing simple, a bobber …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has completed stocking over 26 million walleye fry in the North Platte River above the reservoir and upper portion of Lake McConaughy. To help increase survival, most fry were stocked from a boat to distribute them into areas with adequate food resources and fewer predators. Beginning in mid-June, an additional 1.5 million walleye fingerlings with an average length between 1.25- to 1.5-inches will be stocked. A portion of those walleye fingerlings will be raised …

The Gracie Creek Pond in Loup County will be closed temporarily to fishing and public access as work on its rehabilitation will begin with equipment mobilization May 23. The project will continue through the summer. Angler access will continue downstream of Nebraska Highway 96 and pond outlets. This popular trout fishing pond, located at the upper end of Calamus Reservoir, was severely degraded with sedimentation during the 2019 spring flooding. During the project, the pond level will be lowered by …