Trout Stocking Schedule in Nebraska Lakes - Spring 2011

For all those in Nebraska looking for some fun early spring fishing be sure to check out the spring 2011 trout stocking schedule from the Nebraska Game and Parks.  This would be an awesome time to take the kiddos. The trout ought to be pretty easy to catch.  Here are the announced dates (below).

Jason

Heartland Fishing

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will stock rainbow trout in several city ponds and lakes across the state in March.

The schedule, subject to change depending on conditions, including date, location, quantity, and approximate time of stocking is as follows:

March 16 – Niobrara State Park (SP) Ponds – 1,000, 11:30 a.m.

March 17 – Qwest Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP – 2,500; Windmill State Recreation Area (SRA), Gibbon – 1,200; Holdrege City Lake – 1,500; Auble Pond, Ord – 750.

March 18 – Auburn Rotary Club Lake – 1,400; Fremont SRA No. 2 – 4,200.

March 19 – Lake Halleck, Papillion – 1,200, 11 a.m.; Steinhart Park Ponds, Nebraska City – 1,200, 12:45 p.m.; Holmes Lake, Lincoln – 3,000, 11:15 a.m.; Such’s Lake, Grand Island – 650, 10:15 a.m.; Heartwell Park Lake, Hastings – 450, 11:15 a.m.; TaHaZouka Park Lake, Norfolk – 1,500, 9:30 a.m.; Pawnee Park West, Columbus – 1,500, 11 a.m.; Barnett Park Pond, McCook – 1,000, 11 a.m.; Lexington City Lake – 750, 12:30 p.m.; Elm Creek – 1,000, 2 p.m.

Trout fishing is an excellent activity for children. It requires only a basic rod and reel, hook, worm, and bobber. Small spinners and prepared baits also work well.

All anglers fishing in Nebraska, except residents under age 16, must have a fishing license.

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It's On Right Now - Spring Fishing Classic 2011 - Bass Pro Shops

I know it's already part way through this event, but it's not too late to take a trip over to Bass Pro and take in some of the events and seminars while you shop for some early deals on fishing gear. With locations across the nation, and several in the heartland (Altoona, IA; Council Bluffs, IA; and Denver, CO) there ought to be one within driving distance.

via basspro.com

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Bald eagles abound as the ice retreats

NOW is the time to see Bald Eagles at large lakes in the east. The ice is going out and the birds are coming in and Bald Eagles love sitting on the remnant ice. I tallied 66 Bald Eagles at Branched Oake Lake near Lincoln this afternoon. - Joel Jorgensen, Nongame Bird Program.

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University of Walleye is coming March 12, Pre-Reg by March 5 (via NEBRASKAland Magazine)

Ran across this today - looks like a great opportunity for you Walleye fanatics out there. Hurry though. You must be pre-registered by March 5th.

Read more here

via outdoornebraska.ne.gov

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Omaha Boat, Sports, & Travel Show

It's that time of year again in the eastern Nebraska, western Iowa region - the Omaha Boat, Sports, and Travel Show.

There are lots of exhibitors ranging from RV and boat sales, to travel destinations, to fishing and hunting equipment, to exhibitors like the NGPC.

I don't know the prices, but you can look those up. :)

It's calling for snow this weekend, so you might as well go to the Qwest Center and enjoy the outdoors, indoors.

Jason

Heartland Fishing

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

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Bluegills and more at Wehrspann - Chalco Hills

Finally got the chance to get out on the lake again, but this time with my 6 year old boy and his friend.  

We went to Wehrspann (in west Omaha) and brought along night crawlers and bobbers.  

TIP: When bobber fishing for gills with worms, try this setup.  Use a small bobber.  Big bobbers may be necessary for visibility, especially if the water is rough or you are casting a long way.  But, if you are fishing close and a fairly calm day, keep the bobber as small as possible.

TIP: Another suggestion is to use a small jig head instead of just a hook.  I picked up some tiny jigs at Wal-Mart and took off the grub bodies.  You can then tip the jig with a piece of worm a little bigger than the hook.  I have had better luck hooking blue gills with this setup than with a standard hook/bobber combo.  I think the brightly colored jig head helps get attention and the horizontal presentation may be more easier for gills to get into their mouths...

We fished the point just southeast of the boat ramp first and my boy hooked this 9.5 inch crappie right off the bat.

We caught a few more fish there and then headed south down the west shoreline.  We caught a few more, but nothing spectacular.  We then went down and under the pedestrian bridge and tried our luck in the shallow south end of the lake.  Nothing.  

On our way back under the bridge, the boys wanted to stop and fish.  Good thing we did, because we caught a bunch of nice gills along the south end of the bridge.  Most were bigger gills, between 8-9 inches long.  Here are a few shots.

Happy Fishing!

You having any luck recently?  Email me at Heartlandfishing@gmail.com with pics and I will share your report.

Jason

@heartlandfishin

heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Invasive Crayfish - Important info for Nebraska Fisherman (via @NEGameandParks)

Ran across this post on barbsandbacklashes.wordpress.com about an invasive crayfish species that has been found in NE waters. Good info for you NE fisherman. If you ever catch one of these in NE waters, or buy them at a bait shop, please take the time to report it to Nebraska Game and Parks. Help protect our native waters and native species.

Jason
@heartlandfishin
heartlandfishing.blogspot.com

[excerpt]...Unfortunately, there are exotic species of crayfish that can cause problems in waters where they are not native. One of those crayfish species that has caused problems in some parts of the United States is the rusty crayfish, Orconectes rusticus. Rusty crayfish are native to the Ohio River basin in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee but have been introduced to many other “Midwestern” states. Once introduced into waters outside their native range, rusty crayfish have caused some major problems. Rusty crayfish have literally elminated aquatic vegetation from some waters and thus dramatically altered the aquatic habitat and food chain. They also out-compete native crayfish and may have significant impacts on other aquatic macroinvertebrates (e.g. aquatic insects). In some cases it is suspected that rusty crayfish prey on fish eggs. So, once again this is another example of an exotic species that we would like to keep out of our waters. [read the entire article]

via barbsandbacklashes.wordpress.com

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