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Want to highlight a couple of brief news updates in my blog today.  First, this one on the Public Lands Atlas: 2023-2024 Public Access Atlas now available There are more than a million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska. The recently published 2023-2024 Public Access Atlas identifies and consolidates these public access resources for the benefit of Nebraska’s hunters, trappers and anglers. Printed copies of this year’s atlas are available at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission headquarters and soon …

Fall is quickly approaching and there is nothing more satisfying than sitting by a campfire and enjoying a hearty meal from a Dutch oven. Simple one pot meals that will give your taste buds a treat and a full stomach. These tried-and-true pieces of American history haven’t change much over the years and a quality oven can last a century. Many new campers and outdoor enthusiasts alike are anxious to learn how to cook in them. I have been around …

This post has nothing to do with Nebraska, or fishing in Nebraska. It does have everything to do with fishing, and is a great story.  Give it a read! https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2022/10/04/man-reunited-with-rod-and-reel-50-years-after-outer-banks-fishing-trip-took-a-turn-for-the-worse/ If you have fished for a while, you might have a story or two about lost fishing rods.  Off the top of my head, a couple come to mind, funny, both from ice-fishing.  One of them, Grove Lake never did return.  The other, we could see the buoyant handle of …

Have heard or seen comments from several anglers recently surprised at catching catfish, some of them big catfish, on artificial lures!  That really is not unusual.  In fact, catfish are more predators than they are scavengers! Before I go any further, let me define some terms:  Nebraska is home to three species of large catfish, channel, flathead and blue.  Two of those species, blue and flathead catfish are especially predatory.  By far the best bait for flatheads is a lively …

By Jeff Kurrus Angler Ryan Glatter coaches high school softball in Omaha. In Nebraska, softball season happens to be played during the fall, which doesn’t necessarily align with one of his favorite times of the year to fish. So, when he has a morning here, or a few afternoon hours there, he has to maximize time. The following are several ways Glatter fits in fishing during the dogs days of August afternoons to the cool mornings of late September. Rainouts …

Got a couple of access updates I want to spread around.  First, this news release was published recently: Boaters beware: Low water levels at Elwood Reservoir Water levels at Elwood Reservoir in Gosper County are dropping rapidly, affecting boating access to the water body. Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District is reducing reservoir water levels so repairs can be made along the dam and pump station areas. As water levels drop, sediment at the bottom of the boat ramp …

By Ryan Sparks It is the time of year when hunters start thinking about deer and preparing for the upcoming season. A part of that process is placing trail cameras to take an inventory of the deer on the property you hunt. The right trail camera in the right spot can be the key to tagging the buck of a lifetime. But getting a trail camera placed just right is easier said than done. Trees rarely grow perfectly straight, and …

I hear the questions and comments all the time:  “Where is a good place to fish from shore?”  “Where can I catch __________ (fill in blank with favorite fish), without a boat?” I realize that in some cases those asking the question are looking for ease of access, perhaps someplace to take the kids and grandparents fishing.  However, my usual response, at least to myself, is don’t make no difference if you have a boat or not.  A good place …

It is a season that is open here in eastern Nebraska. It is an unusual season, but one that just flat out reeks of adventure, challenge and tremendous entertainment value. It is a season tailor-made for kids. And, trust me, this is the season that will create memories and stories like no other! No, it is not a hunting season. “It” is Nebraska’s bullfrog season. “Bullfrog season,” you say, “really?” Yep. Look at the size of this adult North American …

This booklet is not new, it has been out for a while.  However, in the process we had a web page upgrade and links were updated.  So, I am going to mention this now, it is not new, but you might not have seen it yet. . . . We updated our I-80 lakes booklet.  This booklet includes the interstate lakes of course, and also a few other waters close to the I-80 corridor.  The idea is this is your …