24 2024 Annual Report
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Management
As part a walleye stocking study, a
team of researchers electrofi shes
to sample young stocked walleye to
determine growth and assess what
they have been eating.
Management of these waters ensures plenty of fi sh can grow to trophy size; about 1,800 people earned a
Master Angler Award in 2024 for their outstanding catches on hook and line, and four anglers landed a state
record — one while bowfi shing and three on rod and reel.
Fish stockings often are used to supplement fi sh populations that have high angler harvest, limited natural
survival or low natural reproduction capacities. Fisheries management biologists conduct biological and
angler surveys and work with production staff to determine fi sh stocking plans.
Fish hatchery operations
Nebraska's fi ve fi sh hatcheries are crucial to Game and Parks' maintenance and enhancement of Nebraska's
aquatic ecosystems. Each hatchery specializes in raising certain aquatic species, and cooperatively, they
produce popular, as well as threatened and endangered, species.
Our hatcheries are self-suffi cient, fertilizing harvested eggs and growing them to stockable-sized fi sh.
Despite their age — four of our fi ve hatcheries are 63 to 112 years old — they employ advanced techniques
and sustain high standards to improve survival rates and ensure genetic diversity.
Still, it is crucial to modernize the facilities and incorporate eco-friendly technology so we can increase
our fi sh production and fi sh sizes and boost angling opportunities for our growing statewide population.
Improvements to the North Platte Hatchery reinforce this; 15 pond liners installed in 2024 show reduced
water usage and larger fi sh grown.
