Access digital copies of guides and regulations publications from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Issue link: https://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1542968
Conservation 15 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2025 Annual Report Information gathered during angler surveys at locations like Conestoga Lake, shown here, helps biologists evaluate how recreational use influences fish populations and management needs. ERIC FOWLER Broadband expansion accelerated while protecting species In 2025, Nebraska Game and Parks partnered with the Nebraska Broadband Office to efficiently review more than 135 federally funded fiber optic projects across the state. By streamlining consultation under the Nongame Endangered Species Conservation Act, the broadband office will achieve a 1- to 2-month turnaround for most projects — helping bring high-speed internet to rural Nebraskans quickly. Game and Parks staff adapted the online Conservation Environmental Review Tool to automate activity selection and speed reviews, while also providing guidance to project applicants. Early coordination with the broadband office will allow most projects to move through consultation with minimal impacts to protected species. This collaboration advances Nebraska's priority of expanding broadband access while safeguarding wildlife. Inspired by its success, the agency continues refining the consultation process and offered several online training sessions to improve submissions and the application's use. Understanding angler behavior to support healthy fisheries Nebraska Game and Parks, along with University of Nebraska partners, made significant progress toward understanding how anglers use Nebraska's waters. Anglers' harvest numbers can be used to improve management of fisheries. Surveys at Conestoga, Sherman and Harlan County reservoirs generated 1,777 angler interviews and 531 angler counts, documenting more than 266,000 angler-hours across 61,400 fishing trips. This information helps provide a clearer picture of participation levels, angling pressure, and catch and harvest across key fisheries, helping biologists evaluate how recreational use influences fish populations and management needs. The project also expanded to support a fall-winter creel survey at the Lake Ogallala complex as part of an ongoing evaluation of the 2023 renovation. Interviews and angler counts began in September 2024 and continued in 2025, offering year-round insight into use patterns at this high-demand fishery.