Nebraska Trout Stocking Schedule

It's that time of year when the state of NE starts putting trout in many of the smaller lakes and ponds around the more populated areas. While there are parts of Nebraska where trout are found naturally in local bodies of water, most Nebraskans have to drive hundreds of miles to access these fisheries.

So it is nice that NGPC stocks trout in local lakes to encourage fishing, especially family fishing.

Here are some helpful links for those looking to take advantage of these newly released trout.

Stocking schedule

Family trout fishing events - equipment provided!

Additional family trout fishing events - equipment provided!

As far as I know, persons 16 years and older do still need a valid NE fishing permit. You can get your permit online here. (you'll need to be able to print)

There is also a new functionality available for purchasing a permit on a mobile device. It looks like you can purchase a fishing permit on your smartphone even if you cannot print. Haven't personally tried this out yet...

Rigging for Crappie

This fall I have been fascinated by trying to catch crappie. I have been reading up on techniques and rigs and locations and movement. Mainly because while I love to fish in general, I really love being able to bring home a stringer of fish to make a meal out of.

But walleye are scarce in this area. I am not much of a catfish guy. And size limits on bass around here are pretty high. I am mostly catch and release - except for crappie. Those I will bring home - if I can catch enough that "eating size."

Anyway, I have tried some new rigs and techniques recently with some success. I haven't tried this one (in the video below), but looks like the best of both worlds - live bait and lures.

How do you rig for crappie?

Big Bass in Nebraska!

I know there are parts of the country where the largemouth bass grow much larger, but most of us can't spend all our extra money traveling around the country trying to catch the biggest fish. We are practical fisherman who might make one or two weekend trips each year, maybe a week long trip if we are lucky.

We know there are huge walleye and pike in Canada. We know there are huge musky in the Great Lakes region. We know the south has huge bass. We know saltwater fishing looks like a blast.

But my 12 foot semi-V John boat and I just can't make it to all these places. However, I can make it to my local lakes and fisheries on a regular basis and hit regional hot spots a few times a year.

I ran across this video the other day and it reminds me that you don't have to have the big fancy boat and the money to travel all over the country in order to find and catch big fish. There are trophies near you!

Enjoy.

Where have you caught big fish in the midwest?

Trout Fishing below Lake McConaughy on In-Fisherman

I was browsing through fishing videos on Youtube and found this one that I thought I would share.

It's from In-Fisherman about trout fishing below Lake McConaughy on the North Platte River. People forget Nebraska actually has some decent trout waters. NGPC's own Daryl Bauer was showing Doug Stange where he could land some nice trout.

To the trout fisherman out there, enjoy!

Where do you fish for trout in Nebraska???

Crappie fishing on Wehrspann Lake, Omaha, NE

Yesterday, I and a friend ventured out before the rain to see if we could catch some fish on Wehrspann. We hit the lake about 8:30am and caught a couple fish right away. My friend caught a small catfish on a minnow and a bobber, and I a decent white crappie on a small floating Rapala while trolling to a new spot.

The morning was pretty slow. We both had a few bites out on the flats, as well as fishing the shorelines. I landed two small bass, a small walleye, a crappie or two and a feisty bluegill. My friend didn't do as well, but did hook a few crappie.

My friend had to be somewhere at 12:30, so i dropped him off at the boat ramp at noon. No one else was around, so I thought I would fish around the dock a bit and see if anything was biting. With one pole rigged with a slip bobber and minnow, and the other a 1/8th ounce jig head and minnow, I managed to catch quite an assortment over the next 45 minutes. 

I landed two 12-13 inch walleye, a nice 13-14 inch largemouth, and probably 10-12 crappie of varying size. I ended up taking home 6 of the crappie that were larger. 

Not a bad day, though my buddy says I was waiting until he had to leave before hitting my "secret" spot. :)

Jason

Heartland Fishing

Crappie Fishing on Walnut Creek

Finally!

I have lived back in this area for almost six years and have not, until yesterday, caught enough crappie in one trip to bother keeping.

My son and I went out to Walnut Creek Recreation Area (in Papillion, NE) specifically targeting crappie. A few weeks before, the whole family went out (3 kids, ages 3, 5, & 7) fishing and I happened to pick up some minnows at a nearby gas station (84th & 370, if you want to know where to get minnows close by the lake). Fishing from shore on that trip we managed to catch about 3 nice crappie (that we released) and several bass, including a 17 inch specimen that my 7 year old son caught.

So, this trip it was just the two of us - oh, and we brought the boat this time. We stopped for minnows and a cup of coffee (for me, of course) and got on the lake.

We went to a likely spot, and on my first cast - a nice keeper crappie! The rest of the morning was pretty slow fishing (despite the quick first fish), but we managed 5 decent sized crappie and several gills and smaller crappie.

We fished a bare jig head tipped with a minnow about 6 - 8 feet under a small bobber around the trees. We mostly baited them through the back, but I am sure through the head would have worked as well. 

We'll be eating them tonight!

Oh, by the way, the sheriff was out checking boats - be sure you have the proper number of life jackets, a throwable floatation device, and a bailing bucket. I saw them kick at least one boat off the lake. (you can find the regs here)

Jason

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

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Nebraska Free Fishing and Park Entry Day - May 21

Each year most states set aside a "free fishing" day. Nebraska is no exception, but in Nebraska it is also a free park entry day. What a great opportunity to get out and have some fun with the family at a state park or recreation area and maybe do a little fishing.

NGPC also has several event for families around the state that day. They will even have fishing gear on hand for those that don't have their own. So get out and fish! No excuses.

From the NGPC website: [Click the link below the excerpt for more information.]

LINCOLN, Neb. – Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, Saturday, May 21, is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy fishing or a state park area in Nebraska without being required to have a permit.

Although no fishing or park entry permits will be required on the free day, which is celebrated annually on the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend, all other fee requirements, laws and regulations will be in effect. Anglers at Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA) trout lake will be required to purchase a daily trout tag.

As part of the Free Fishing and Park Entry Day activities, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host Family Fishing Day events at several locations across the state.

via outdoornebraska.ne.gov

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