On the Nebraska fish and fishing “front”, I have several things I want folks to know about right now. So, in no particular order. . . .
Brady Interstate Lake Boat Ramp
In the past year we have completed some new boat ramps and angler access improvements on several interstate lakes in the North Platte area. One of those was the interstate lake at the Brady interchange. There are some “finishing touches” that need to be done on that ramp yet, and until those are completed that will remain closed:
Brady I-80 Lake Boat Ramp Closed
NORTH PLATTE — The new concrete boat ramp at the Brady Interstate-80 Lake is closed due to underwater safety hazards. The ramp is located at the southeast corner of the lake and is blocked off by signs and posts. The boat ramp will reopen after repairs are made.
Fishing will not be inhibited by the ramp closure. The lake is located southeast of the I-80 and Brady interchange.
Archery Paddlefish Permit Application Period
One change in fishing regulations for 2016 was that our Nebraska archery paddlefish season got moved up a month. The archery paddlefish season will now run during the month of June. From what I have heard from the archery paddlefish anglers, this should make it easier to fill their permits. However, with an earlier season, that also means we have an earlier application period. If you want to apply for an archery paddlefish permit, you need to be doing that N-O-W, NOW!
Archery Paddlefish Applications Accepted March 1-14
LINCOLN – Applications for archery paddlefish permits will be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission March 1-14.
The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time on March 1. Mail applications must be received in the Commission’s Lincoln office by 5 p.m. and online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 14. Permits will be issued through a random drawing based on preference points earned, with the persons having earned the most preference points receiving the greatest priority. Any permits remaining following the drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 1 p.m. on May 2. A total of 275 permits have been authorized.
An applicant will receive a preference point if he or she is not awarded a permit in the drawing. An additional preference point will be added each year he or she is unsuccessful in the drawing. Any person who is issued a paddlefish permit and any person who does not apply at least once during five consecutive years will lose all accumulated preference points.
Two people – both residents or both nonresidents – may submit a joint application. That application will be assigned to the applicant with the fewest preference points.
A person may have no more than two archery paddlefish permits per year: one earned via application and one bought over the counter. Permits and their accompanying tags are not transferable. Anyone fishing with an archery paddlefish permit also must have a valid Nebraska fish permit.
The application fees are $22 for residents and $42 for nonresidents. To apply, visit a Commission office, OutdoorNebraska.org, or use a form in the 2016 Nebraska Fishing Guide.
The 2016 archery paddlefish season is June 1-30.
Fishing Instructor Workshop
If you are an accomplished angler and want to get involved, to give back to the sport and our fisheries resources, another great thing you can do is get involved as a certified youth fishing instructor. This is part of our youth fishing program and certified instructors will have some basic education and resources to conduct fishing clinics on their own or to volunteer for family fishing nights, outdoor expos and other educational events. I have said “thank you” many times because we have a great bunch of volunteer youth fishing instructors and they help use get a lot done! We could not do even a fraction without their help. If you are interested in getting involved, we have another certification clinic coming soon:
Become a Certified Youth Fishing Instructor March 12
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors March 12 at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, Gretna, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Nebraska Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events, as well as receive program incentives. They also are encouraged to volunteer for such Nebraska Game and Parks programs as Family Fishing Nights and the Outdoor Expos.
To reserve a spot in this free workshop, contact Larry Pape at larry.pape@nebraska.gov.
That is all for now. There is a lot going on, and beside all of that we have open water and it is time, it is always time, to GO FISH!
The post News Items for Anglers appeared first on NEBRASKALand Magazine.
