Tony Barada, Assistant Fisheries Administrator
Lincoln tony.barada@nebraska.gov 402-471-5553
Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Lincoln daryl.bauer@nebraska.gov 402-471-5005
Al Hanson, NW District Supervisor Alliance al.hanson@nebraska.gov 308-763-2940
Jeff Schuckman, NE District Supervisor Norfolk jeff.schuckman@nebraska.gov 402-370-3374
Jeff Jackson, SE District Supervisor Lincoln jeff.jackson@nebraska.gov 402-471-7647
Brad Newcomb, SW District Supervisor Kearney brad.newcomb@nebraska.gov 308-865-5310
Season Dates More Info
Hook and Line Year-round Page 9
Paddlefish Archery: June 1 - 30; Snagging: Oct. 1 - 31 Page 21
Underwater Spearfishing July 1 - Dec. 31 statewide, except June 1 - Dec. 31 at Box Butte
Reservoir and private waters
Page 18
Surface Spearfishing Year-round for nongame fish only Page 18
Archery July 1- Dec. 31 for game fish; Year-round for nongame fish Page 18
Bullfrog Aug. 15 - Oct. 31, east of Hwy. 81; Year-round, west of Hwy. 81 Page 11
Snapping turtle Year-round Page 11
Mussel Year-round, no harvest in any river or stream Page 11
OutdoorNebraska.org | 5
2020 Season Dates
NGPC Fisheries Staff
New for 2020
Trout – The daily bag and possession limits on cutthroat trout change from five and 12, respectively, to two and
four, respectively, and only one fish in the bag can be 12 inches or longer. Cutthroats do not naturally reproduce in
Nebraska and are produced in limited numbers in state fish hatcheries. The change is designed to spread fishing
opportunity among more people by reducing individual harvest.
Striped Bass, White Bass, Wiper – No harvest of striped bass, white bass or wiper is allowed at Zorinsky
Lake. This is designed to protect wipers and allow them to grow to a larger size.
Channel Catfish – The channel catfish daily bag limit at Merritt Reservoir and Calamus Reservoir shall include
no more than one fish 30 inches or longer. This change is expected to protect larger fish at these reservoirs, which
have experienced a reduction in overall size of catfish.
Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge – There is a 50-inch minimum length limit for muskellunge and tiger
muskellunge at Merritt Reservoir. This is designed to protect large muskie and establish a destination location and
trophy fishery at Merritt.
No Live Baitfish – The following areas are added to the list of waters where no live baitfish may be used or
possessed: Conestoga, Duck Creek Recreation Area, Flanagan Lake, Glenn Cunningham, Stagecoach, Wehrspann,
Melham Lake and Kirkpatrick Lake. See page 15.
Bullfrogs – West of U.S. Hwy. 81, bullfrogs may be taken without a size limit by hand, hand net, hook and line,
archery and gig. See page 11.
