How To

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 …

A few weeks ago I blogged about hybrid fish, Hybrids.  Fish identification can be a challenge and hybridization makes it even more difficult.  In that blog post I noted that if you can handle and look at the parent species and hybrids together, identification becomes easier.  Unfortunately, seldom do we catch those different species and hybrids at the same time.  So, I tried my best to show some photos comparing the parent species and their hybrid. At the time, I …

No need to say anything to introduce this.  Watch the video! Wetlands are crucial to water quality and our fisheries! Learn more here, Nebraskawetlands.com.

A classic case of misrepresentation keeps occurring. Folks, especially those new to the Cornhusker State, continue to express their disbelief to me that a crystal clear, cold, spring-fed trout fishing stream exists in northeast Nebraska. “No way,” they’ll say. “Impossible in farm country,” they’ll say. “You’re drinking, can’t be,” they’ll say.  “I’ve driven through there and never seen it,” they’ll say. These are just some of the phrases people have uttered to me about the East Branch of the Verdigre …

Fished a couple of different Nebraska reservoirs in recent weeks.  It is officially the middle of summer and the bite typically slows.  On the other hand, if you are on one of our large reservoirs with some white bass and/or wipers this is prime time for feeding frenzies. Typically, the game is played by watching for the gulls and then hurrying to the spot before the frenzy is over and the school moves on.  When you get there, the fishing …

I have blogged about fishing topwater baits several times (e.g. Top Edge , Topwater Bait Selection).  Safe to say that catching fish on topwater baits is one of everyone’s favorite ways to catch fish.  Also safe to say that right now, summer, is peak time for using topwaters. However, if you have spent any time on the water, you know you better have a plan B, plan C, and a whole lot of other plans.  Some days the fish, for …

The July 2023 issue of Nebraskaland has a excellent story on Long Pine Creek.  That story highlights some of the aquatic habitat and angler access work done there.  Of course it also highlights the fishing.  Follow the link and turn to page 48 to check it out! Nebraskaland July 2023

Maybe it’s because I am a lifelong Nebraskan with deep farm roots and help my brother manage his farm. Maybe it’s because I am a person with an outgoing, assertive, talkative personality who thoroughly enjoys interacting with people. Maybe it’s because of what I do for living and my employer. Maybe it’s because I pride myself on being a legal hunter and an ethical one at that. Maybe it’s because I really work at it. I don’t know for sure. …