Nebraska Free Fishing & Park Entry Day - May 22, 2010

Nebraska holds a free fishing and park entry day each year in May on the Saturday prior to Memorial Day weekend.  This year that day falls on Saturday, May 22nd.

This Saturday, residents and non-residents, can fish without a license and enter state parks for free.  This is a great opportunity to either give fishing a try, get back into fishing, or for checking out a state park for free.  Also a great, cheap, family outing option. (We can all use those!)

In addition, several state parks have "family fishing clinics" - click here to download the poster with the full list.

Jason

Heartland Fishing

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

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No Crappie length minimums in April on Zorinsky & Wehrspann

If you love crappie fishing and you fish in the Omaha metro area, you need to know that the 10 inch minimum length on crappie is lifted for the month of April on both Zorinsky & Wehrspann.

This is perfect for those that love to eat crappie but seem to only catch 9 inchers.  

The best part is that the crappie usually spawn in April so they are a lot more likely to bite as they store up energy for the spawn and vigorously defend their eggs and fry.

Here is the proof from the 2010 Nebraska Fishing Guide:

Jason

Heartland Fishing

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

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Changes to Nebraska Fishing Regulations for 2010

If you fish in Nebraska, be sure to double check with the changes to fishing regulations for 2010.  As usual, there aren't a lot, and some changes are pretty obscure and won't likely affect that big trip you have planned, but it is good to at least check them out before you start fishing this year.

Below are the changes for 2010 straight out of the 2010 NE Fishing Guide, p. 5.  Hope they are helpful.

Jason

Heartland Fishing

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

(from the 2010 NE Fishing Guide, p. 5)

NEW FOR 2010

The following are changes to fishing regulations for 2010:

• Iron Horse Trail Lake is added to the list of waters with a 21-inch minimum length limit on black bass.
• It is unlawful to harvest wipers at Zorinsky Lake. Wipers have been stocked into Zorinsky to prey on abundant gizzard shad. The regulation will reduce premature harvest of small wipers.
• The new walleye spawning reef habitat at Sherman Reservoir is included in the area closed to fishing from sunset to sunrise, April 1 - 20.
• It is unlawful to possess live baitfish at Hedgefield Lake in Lancaster County. The lake is being rehabilitated, and the goal of the regulation is to reduce introduction of undesirable fish.
• It is unlawful to possess live baitfish at Lake Wanahoo in Saunders County. The goal of the regulation is to reduce introduction of undesirable fish.
• The following have been added to a list of waters managed as High Use Fishing Areas: Open Fields and Waters program lakes and ponds, Big Springs City Pond, Birdwood Lake, Friend City Lake, Hedgefield Lake, Hooper City Lake, Humphrey Pond, Kramer Park Lake, Lake Wanahoo, North Platte Interstate 80 Lake, Oxford City Lake, Papio 4, Schwer Park Pond, Silver Creek City Lake, and Stanton Lake.
• Regarding bait collection and dealer regulations, the maximum legal opening size of a baitfish trap throat increased from 1.5 to 2 inches.

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Available online - NGPC's Guide to Nebraska Fishing

Need to double check the rules and regs for fishing in Nebraska? Stop by the NGP website and view or download the 2010 Fishing Guide.

Jason
@heartlandfishin
Hearland Fishing Blog

FISHING GUIDE

Browse or Download 2010 Fishing Guide

The Fishing Guide provides information you need to fish Nebraska water.

• Current Regulations
• Seasons
• Limits
• Special Area Regulations
• Where to Fish - Public Waters Guide
• Where the Fish Are - Stocking Reports
• Reports from the field - Outdoor Reports
• A Fish Identification Guide
• Who Caught What - Master Angler Awards
• Show Me Your Fish - Angler's Anchive - Photos
• Purchase a Permit Online!
• Discussion Forum

via ngpc.state.ne.us

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Omaha - 63rd Annual Boat, Sport, and Travel Show - Feb. 25-28, 2010

Need something to do this weekend that will get your mind off the fact that you can't get your boat out on the lake yet?

Consider attending the 63rd Annual Boat, Sport, and Travel show in Omaha at the Qwest Center from Thursday, Feb. 25th through Sunday, Feb. 28th.

You get to roam through row after row of outdoor wonderment including fishing equipment, RV's, fishing destinations, boats and more boats, and various outdoor related exhibits. There's always some good food being peddled by exhibitors, a trout fishing pond for the kiddos, and various seminars and "shows" throughout the weekend.

Check out http://www.gototheshows.com/bst-v-home.html for more information.

Growing up in the Omaha area, this is a show my family attended quite frequently when it used to be held down in the Civic Center. I have great memories of walking through all the exhibits and watching the shows (including lumber jack competitions, including log rolling, pole climbing, etc., as well as unusual performers like Wes Harrison).

I attended last year for the first time since the early 90's and was a little disappointed to see how much smaller the show has become. Everything now fits in one exhibition hall at the Qwest (instead of multiple exhibition halls and the main arena at the Civic back in the day). I will say it was still a pretty good day for the family and I picked up several helpful pieces of information from various exhibitors on fishing locations and strategies.

Anyone planning on attending? Please share your comments below...

Jason

Heartland Fishing

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

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Planning your fishing season in NE - via NEBRASKAland Magazine

This article appeared in Nebraskaland magazine a couple years back, but it is a good resource for you NE fisherman. The author talks about tips, tricks, and tools for planning a successful fishing season and even shares his favorite time to fish certain lakes.

Be sure to check it out. Here is an excerpt. Read the entire article here.

Jason (@heartlandfishin)

A Plan for Success
A First Look at This Year's Fishing Trips
By Jeff Kurrus

Maps....Computers....Surveys....Biologists. Spending a bit more time in the off-season organizing this year's fishing trips will pay the dividends you're looking for during the fishing season.

Growing up, I couldn't count the number of good lakes and reservoirs I had to fish on my fingers and toes. I lived in a rural area, went to a big school, and knew a lot of people. Permission came easy. Then I moved from Tennessee to Nebraska where my wife, who had enlisted in the Air Force, was stationed. "They have hunting and fishing there," she told me, but I didn't have my private water any longer, no round-the-corner honey holes where I locked the gate behind me when accessing. So I had to start researching. I learned slowly at first, yet with each new tactic I came across, I was better able to pinpoint exactly what I was looking for - fish... read the entire article

via ngpc.state.ne.us

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Purchase Colorado Fishing License Online - Colorado Division Of Wildlife Total Licensing System

Click the link at the bottom of this post to purchase a CO fishing license (or other license) online.

Use this site to: Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp (for $10.25 per individual) which includes the Colorado Search and Rescue fee, access to state wildlife areas (SWA) or state trust lands (STL) and helps fund additional habitat for wildlife. (Product Code #61) --> purchase the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp or purchase hunting and/or fishing licenses for the State of Colorado or complete and submit hunting applications for the State of Colorado or update your address/personal information by clicking on the button provided without the purchase of either a license or application or fullfill habitat stamp obligation and pick up awarded license(s)

If you need more information on Licenses and/or Hunting Applications for Colorado before you begin your purchase, see additional information on the CDOW Home Page.

To use this site, you will be required to complete 4 basic steps:

Step 1: Tell Us Who You Are

Identify yourself, including residency and personal information. If you are an existing CDOW customer, you will be able to retrieve current information from the CDOW Total Licensing system and simply verify its accuracy. If you know you are in the CDOW database, and your record does not come up, please call the CDOW for assistance. Once you have completed the customer information section, you will be able to update your address/personal information.

Step 2: Select Products

Select the license(s), stamp(s), and/or applications you wish to purchase. Additional information may be required.

Step 3: Verify Your Selections & Submit Payment

Confirm your selections, choose your delivery method, and provide your payment information. You may use Visa, MasterCard, or Discover to pay for your purchase.

Step 4: Remember to Print Your Confirmation!

This page is your receipt, keep it for your records.

If you do not wish to purchase your license here, you may visit your nearest Total Licensing Agent or contact Phone Sales. IMPORTANT: if you have questions on limited licenses, preference points, or group hunts, you must contact the CDOW help line at 303-297-1192. To apply for a Limited License, you must apply online or submit a paper application to CDOW. Phone Sales Representatives are not equipped to answer questions regarding limited license applications.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife does NOT charge convenience fees for this, or any other, license purchase. This is the ONLY online license sales site provided directly by the Colorado Division of Wildlife for its patrons.

via www4.wildlifelicense.com

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