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Nebraska Fishing Report
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Read a poem about a flathead
caught at Harlan County Dam
Fishing Reports from Nebraska
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Omaha area updates are at the bottom of this page
Free Fishing Days - Kansas June 7
8, 2008, Arkansas June 6 8, 2008, Colorado June 7
8, 2008, Iowa June 6 8, 2008, Missouri June 7 8,
2008, Nebraska May 17, 2008, Oklahoma June 7 8, 2008 and
Texas June 7, 2008
April 2008 Outlook
Fishing
Panhandle
Trout fishing in late March and early April will
be primary carry-over fish, but trout stocking will begin in
April at Fort Robinson State Park (SP), Bridgeport State Recreation
Area (SRA) northwest lake in Morrill County, Terry's Pit in Scotts
Bluff County, J.C. Pond in Scottsbluff, and the Morrill Sandpits.
Although April is a little early for walleye fishing
in the Panhandle, some anglers have success taking walleye on
jigs tipped with minnows at Lake Minatare near Scottsbluff.
The northern pike will begin spawning in shallow
water at Box Butte Reservoir near Hemingford in April and later
in the month anglers should have a good chance to catch them
on dead smelt.
The water is usually still pretty cool in April
in most Panhandle lakes and largemouth bass fishing usually starts
to pick up later in the month, but a select few experienced bass
fishermen who really know what they are doing have some luck
throughout the month by fishing jigs very slowly in lakes such
as the middle lake at Bridgeport SRA.
North-central
Northern pike fishing generally starts in mid-April
in the north-central part of the state when the water warms at
the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge lakes, Merritt Reservoir
near Valentine, and in lakes throughout the Sandhills. The fish
become more active as the water warms and anglers should find
some action by casting and retrieving spoons and spinnerbaits.
From about mid-April on, largemouth bass fishing
should start picking up in lakes and farm ponds throughout the
Sandhills. Spinnerbaits, straight-line spinners and minnow- imitating
lures such as Rapalas and Shad Raps usually produce some catches
of bass.
The upper end of Calamus Lake near Burwell is a
good place to try your luck on channel catfish during April.
Other normally productive spots for catfish are Merritt Reservoir,
the Niobrara River, and the larger diversions along the Loup
River system. Stink baits are always a good easy-season choice
of baits.
Walleye fishermen can look forward to trying their
luck at the upper end of Calamus Reservoir when the fish come
close to shore to spawn during the first three weeks of April.
Fishing during the walleye spawn is usually pretty slow going,
but occasional fish are taken.
April is a good time for trout anglers to start
fishing in Long Pine Creek, Plum Creek, the upper Snake River,
Schlagel Creek or any of the Sandhills streams. While there is
public access to some of the state's trout streams, most flow
through private land and permission is required to fish them.
Small in-line spinners, salmon eggs, PowerBaits and artificial
flies all produce trout.
South-central
Walleye are spawning and congregating on the rocky
dam faces of Sherman, Harlan County and Johnson reservoirs during
the first two weeks of April, especially at night. The dam is
closed at Sherman from sunrise to sunset April 1-20.
Because of inflows of water, there has been some
fishing activity at the upper ends of Harlan and Sherman for
catfish and walleye.
There's great trout fishing opportunity for the
whole family at some of the region's lakes. Rainbow trout were
stocked late in March at Such's Lake in Grand Island, Lexington
City Park Lake, Windmill State Recreation Area (SRA) Lake No.
1 near Gibbon, and Holdrege City Park Lake. Fly-fisherman can
try Elm Creek near Red Cloud. The stream was stocked with rainbows
in late March, and there is public access at Elm Creek Wildlife
Management Area (WMA).
Fishing at the Interstate 80 lakes should pick
up as the water warms, especially for bluegill, largemouth bass,
crappie and, especially late in the month, channel catfish.
Look for crappie fishing to improve toward the
end of the month once spawning begins. Try Sherman and the canal
system above Johnson Lake.
The post-spawn fishing for northern pike should
pick up at Sherman and Cottonmill Lake near Kearney in early
or mid-April.
Southwest
The walleye-spawning run is on at the large reservoirs
Sutherland, Maloney, Medicine Creek, Enders, Red Willow,
and Swanson. It should begin in Lake McConaughy which has
the best walleye population in the region in early April.
The walleye bite is focused on the dams at McConaughy and the
southwest reservoirs (Medicine Creek, Enders, Red Willow, and
Swanson).
Look for the white bass and wiper bite to pick
up late in April at the large reservoirs and a couple weeks later
at McConaughy.
The inlets at Sutherland and Maloney should provide
good fishing for walleye, white bass and wiper, as they both
have moderate flows.
Action for channel catfish will pick up as water
temperatures rise.
Fishing will pick up on largemouth bass in the
Interstate 80 lakes. Late April should be the best time to pursue
rock bass at East Sutherland, Hershey, East Hershey, and West
Gothenburg lakes using Doll flies, small lures or plugs in rocky
areas. There's also a chance of catching northern pike at Hershey.
Anglers can fish for stocked smallmouth bass at Fort McPherson,
with fish up to 15 inches, and crappie in the North Platte City
and West Maxwell lakes. There are stocked trout at North Platte's
Birdwood Lake.
Another option for anglers is decent smallmouth
bass fishing in the canal from Lake Maloney south of North Platte.
Northeast
Walleye and sauger will spawn in the Missouri River
and lakes throughout the district in early April. They will be
active along rocky structures and the faces of dams, but are
difficult to catch at that time.
Anglers should begin taking walleye from the Missouri
River above Lewis and Clark Reservoir, especially in the Niobrara
and Verdel areas.
The opportunity for fishermen to catch walleye
in lakes should increase in mid-April following the spawn.
In later April largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish,
and other species will become more active as the water warms
and provide fishing opportunity across the district.
Anglers also should take advantage of the late-March
trout stockings at Niobrara SP near Niobrara, Fremont SRA Lake
No. 5 near Fremont, Pawnee Park East Pond in Columbus, and TaHaZouka
Park Lake in Norfolk. Early April is a good time to fish for
trout and anglers are encouraged to keep the trout they catch
from these lakes because the fish will not survive as the water
temperatures rise during the summer. There are several good baits
for catching trout, among them are PowerBaits, small spinners,
small shiny spoons, corn, cheese, and a nightcrawler and split
shot fished on the bottom.
Southeast
Walleye are spawning at dams at Branched Oak. Pawnee,
Stagecoach, Wagon Train, and Wehrspann lakes. It should peak
the first week of April.
The crappie spawn should begin early in April,
staging on structure in bays of Stagecoach, Branched Oak, Wagon
Train, Wehrspann, and Zorinsky. The 10-inch length limit on crappie
at Wehrspann and Zorinksy will be lifted only in April in hopes
of controlling the crappie numbers. The limit returns May 1.
Crappie also may be caught at Czechland.
The following waters were stocked with 10- to 12-inch
rainbow trout at the end of March: Qwest Lake at Eugene T. Mahoney
State Park, Lake Halleck in Papillion, Holmes Lake in Lincoln,
Weeping Water Lake, Steinhart Park Pond in Nebraska City, and
Auburn Fairgrounds Lake.
Largemouth bass and bluegill fishing should pick
up during the month. There should be good channel catfishing
at the upper ends of Branched Oak and Pawnee following rains,
when the catfish feed in the inlets.
Lincoln anglers can take advantage of hot fishing
action at Holmes Lake for largemouth bass, bluegill, walleye
and catfish. Trout may be found throughout the lake, not just
in the southern arm where they are stocked.
When they're not fishing Holmes, Lincoln residents
can take a look at rehabilitated Bowling Lake. The lake is filling
and anglers can see the location of structure before it is full.
When enough water is in the lake, it will be stocked with bluegill,
largemouth bass and channel catfish. The lake should be ready
to fish in 2009.
Wildlife Viewing
Sandhill crane enthusiasts can still take advantage
of viewing opportunities in April at Fort Kearny SRA southeast
of Kearney, Windmill
SRA near Gibbon, Mormon Island SRA near Doniphan,
and Buffalo Bill Ranch SRA near North Platte. Camping is available
at all four areas.
The sandhill crane migration through Nebraska peaks
in the third week of March.
Parks
The warming weather will send more people outdoors
for hikes, bike rides and campouts. As the weather improves,
more state park facilities will be available. While Nebraska
state parks and recreation areas never close, April is the month
when the parks' modern restrooms, showers, dump stations and
fish-cleaning stations begin to open.
A park entry permit is required at all state park
areas. To purchase permits or get more information on sandhill
cranes, state park areas, fishing, or hiking trails, visit the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org.
Omaha
Area Fishing:
Outdoor News Briefs
WATCH FOR DEER ... Motorists are being advised
to keep an eye out for deer crossing metro area roadways as deer
movement moves into high gear with the breeding season still
happening. Experts offer these tips to drivers:
- Slow down when driving near places where deer
are likely to be found, including wooded areas, creeks or rivers
- Pay special attention at dawn, dusk and at night
when deer are moving about
- If you see one deer, expect that more will follow
- Do not swerve to avoid a deer because that can
lead to rollovers, hitting trees/posts or smashing into other
motor vehicles
TROUT! ... These locations have been stocked with
pan-sized rainbow trout for fall and winter fishing:
Fremont SRA Lake #5 near Fremont
Standing Bear Lake in northwest Omaha
Weeping Water Pond in Weeping Water
Steinhart Park Pond in Nebraska City
Qwest Lake at Mahoney State Park near Ashland
Benson Park Pond in Omaha
Halleck Park Pond in Papillion
Towl Park Pond in Omaha
Hitchcock Park Pond in Omaha
TROUT TIPS ... Here are some tips from our NG &
PC fisheries division biologists to help you and your kids catch
these stocked, pan-sized rainbow trout this fall:
~ Remember that these trout cruise around quite
a bit, so be willing to fish different spots on that water body
in about 3-7 feet of water near the bottom and do not overlook
points and corners
~ Keep in mind that these trout have been raised
in a hatchery-type, controlled setting and fed prepared foods,
so at least initially, Powerbait, corn, salmon eggs and worms
are all good baits to use to catch them. Then, later in the fall
season on into winter, use minnows and/or minnow-like lures &
flies to land them as well as waxworms (even in the open water!)
DEER CHECK STATIONS ... These are the current deer
check stations in the Omaha-metro and surrounding area:
- Hitches Plus at 72nd Street and Highway 370 in
Papillion (Ph: 331-4645)
- Full Draw Archery at 144th & L Street in
Omaha (Ph: 333-9691)
- Van Fleet Meat at 7614 Park Drive in Ralston
(Ph: 331-6939)
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at 1212 Bob
Gibson Blvd in Omaha (Ph: 595-2144)
- Venice Bait & Tackle at Highway 92 and 264th
Street near Waterloo (Ph: 359-5545)
- Aksarben Aquarium/Schramm Park State Recreation
Area at 21502 West Highway 31 near Gretna (Ph: 332-3901)
- Plattsmouth Police Department at 336 Main Street
in Plattsmouth (Ph: 296-3311)
- Taylor Quick-Pik Store at 1052 Washington Street
in Blair (Ph: 426-2511)
ANGLE ON AREA AUTUMN ANGLING ... Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission Fisheries Biologist Mark Porath in Lincoln
says that these waters, in or not far from the metro, would be
good ones to target for some big fish now until freeze-over:
*Wehrspann Lake in southwest Omaha for larger channel
and blue catfish
*Zorinsky Lake in west Omaha for bigger largemouth
bass
*Walnut Creek Lake in Papillion for big bluegill
*Iron Horse Trail Lake near Du Bois for decent-sized
crappie
*Stagecoach near Lincoln for some nice-sized largemouth
bass
CUNNINGHAM LAKE PROJECT UPDATE ... The Cunningham
Lake Aquatic Rehab Project in northwest Omaha has moved ahead
of schedule. Excavation should be completed by spring, if not
sooner. See the progress being made by accessing the area at
Entrance #2 just west of the dam near 96th & State Street.
When the lake project is completed, anglers, sail boaters and
others will find a dramatically improved water body for outdoor
recreation!
PAPIO DAM SITE #13 REMAINS CLOSED ... According
to the Papio-Missouri River NRD, Papio Dam Site #13 located near
192nd & Blondo Street in west Omaha remains closed to public
access for safety purposes due to construction.
WHO CAN FISH AT OMAHA CITY PARK PONDS & LAGOONS?
... Anglers need to note that persons 15 & under, those 62
or older and disabled/handicapped individuals possessing a special
permit may fish the Omaha City Park Ponds and Lagoons (such as
Benson Park Lagoon). In addition, adults with current, valid
Nebraska fishing permits who are between the ages of 16 and 61
may fish these small water bodies, provided they have an actively
fishing child 15 & under with them.
NEW DEER CHECK STATION ... Hitches Plus in Papillion
(Ph: 331-4645) located just northwest of the intersection of
Highway 370 and 72nd Street has been added as a new deer check
station for hunters this fall and winter. Franks Tree House in
south Omaha is no longer a deer check station.
NO BOATS ON OFFUTT AFB LAKE ... Boating traffic
is not being allowed on the Offutt Air Force Base Lake due to
an infestation of zebra mussels.
STATE PARK LODGING REMINDER ... There is a 30 percent
discount on lodging on weekday nights (Mondays through Thursdays)
at two area state parklands: Platte River (Ph: 234-2217) and
Mahoney (1-402-944-2523).
IMPORTANT FISHING NOTES ... The minimum length
limit on walleye in the Omaha area reservoirs is 15 inches ...
River anglers in the area are still being reminded to check ID
on the sturgeon they catch as the shovelnose may be possessed,
but the pallid and lake must be returned to the water immediately.
Various Other Outdoor News Notes
MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTINGS ... Alleged sightings of
mountain lions are taken seriously and need to be immediately
reported to 911 Emergency, Game and Parks Commission Officials
or the Nebraska Humane Society.
Parklands in southeast Nebraska -- Hiking Trail
Miles
Platte River State Park near Louisville -- 12 miles
Mahoney State Park near Ashland -- 7 Miles
Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna
-- 3 miles
Louisville Lakes State Recreation Area near Louisville
-- 2 miles
Indian Cave State Park near Brownville -- 22 miles
Hunter Education Information
For information on firearm and bowhunter education
courses scheduled in the Omaha-metro area, or to become a certified
volunteer instructor in the Nebraska Hunter Education Program,
call Barb at 332-4543
Omaha Office Information
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 1212 Bob Gibson
Blvd. Omaha, NE 68108-2020 (One block north of Rosenblatt Stadium)
Game & Parks hours of operation are from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but closed on state government-observed
holidays that occur during the week
Ph: 402-595-2144
Fax: 402-595-2569
E-mail: greg.wagner@ngpc.ne.gov
For Nebraska Travel and Tourism staff & information
at our location, call 402-595-3990
Travel & Tourism hours of operation are from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seven days a week -- March 1 through October
31; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday -- November 1 through
February 28, but closed on state government-observed holidays
that occur during the week in this period
For information about building, grounds and maintainence,
call the Nebraska State Department of Administrative Services
/ Building Division in Omaha, at: 402-595-2115
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