OutdoorNebraska

River Valley, and is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. The 4-acre Jenny Newman Lake is ideal fishing water for young children. Only those under 16 years old and adults assisting children are allowed to fish in this catch-and- release-only lake. Parents can have a lot of fun watching their kids catch fish, including some trophy-sized specimens. Visitors can borrow fishing tackle to use at the lake. Fishing and park entry permits are available at the park office. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish Amenities: Modern cabins (camping is available at nearby Louisville SRA), hiking and mountain biking trails, swimming pool, tennis courts, observation tower, picnic shelters, pit toilets. Modern restrooms, snacks, drinks, and paddleboat rentals are available in the summer. Directions: From Exit 426, travel 6.5 miles east on Highway 66. The park entrance road is on the left. To get to Jenny Newman Lake, turn left at the entrance booth and follow the park road 0.5 miles. Nearby attraction: Schramm Park SRA, site of Nebraska's first fish hatchery, and the popular Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium and Outdoor Education Center. Louisville SRA Located on the south bank of the Platte River, Louisville SRA has five small lakes totaling 40 acres plus river fishing opportunities. Campground scenes in the Jack Nicholson movie About Schmidt were filmed here. Campers may register at the park office, where they can also purchase fishing and park entry permits and borrow fishing tackle for use at the park. Fish species (lakes): Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, wiper (Lake 2 only) Fish species (river): Channel catfish, flathead catfish, shovelnose sturgeon, freshwater drum, carp Amenities: Modern camping with electrical hook-ups, modern restrooms with showers (closed in winter), RV dump station, tent camping, pit toilets, swimming beach, picnic shelters, nature trails, swing set. A concession is open during the summer, offering food and drinks. Directions: From Exit 426, travel 8.5 miles east on Highway 66 to its junction with Highway 50. Turn left on Highway 50 and go 1.5 miles north. The park entrance will be on your left. Travelers may also leave I-80 at Exit 440 and travel 11 miles south on Highway 50 to the park. Walnut Creek Lake One of the newest lakes in eastern Nebraska, Walnut Creek is a 100-acre flood control lake built with fish and quality fishing in mind. The lake area closes at 10 p.m. There are no garbage cans here, so pack your trash out. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, crappie Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, fishing jetties, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, paved walking trail around the lake, pit toilets, playground, picnic shelters, modern campground, leash- free dog exercise area Directions: From Exit 439, go 5 miles east on Highway 370 to 96th Street in Papillion. Turn right and go 0.4 miles to the first entrance on the right, where you'll find a playground for the kids, a picnic shelter, pit toilets, and trail access. Or, continue on 96th Street another 0.4 miles to Schramm Road, then turn right and go 1 mile to the park entrance on the right for the campground, boat ramp, and other facilities. Wehrspann Lake The Papio-Missouri River NRD owns this 245-acre lake in southwest of Omaha. No park entry permit is required. The park closes at 10 p.m. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, crappie, walleye, bullhead Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, fishing pier, pit toilets, paved walking trail, picnic shelters Directions: Take Exit 440 at Highway 50 and go north 0.25 miles to the first traffic signal. Turn left on Cornhusker Road and follow it 0.9 miles to the lake. To access the main entrance and boat ramp, continue north on Highway 50 another 0.75 miles to Giles Road and turn left. The entrance is 0.9 miles ahead, on the left. Zorinsky Lake The city-owned park at 255-acre Zorinsky Lake is regarded as one of the premier parks in Omaha. Camping is not allowed, and the park is open only from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fish species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, crappie, walleye Amenities: Concrete boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, paved walking trail, playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms Directions: From Exit 440, go north 2 miles on Highway 50 to Harrison Street. Turn left and go 1 mile west to 156th Street. Turn right and go 2 miles north to F Street, and then turn left into the park. There is additional access to the trail and lake on 168th Street, one mile north of Q Street. ■ Hefty bluegill can be caught from Platte River State Park's Jenny Newman Lake. NEBRASKAland ● May 2006 33 DOUG CARROLL

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