Nebraska Game and Parks Take ‘Em Fishing program enters fourth year

PAWNEE COUNTY - The Nebraska Game and Parks commission is looking out for the future of fishing, by doing what it can in the present.

The Take ‘Em Fishing program is set to enter its fourth year. Daryl Bauer is the fisheries outreach programs manager for Game and Parks and has worked there for over 30 years. He explained the purpose of the program.

“It’s just a way for us to encourage people to find somebody who hasn’t been fishing before, to get them out, and introduce them to sport,” Bauer said.

But it’s bigger than that. Game and Parks wants fishing to continue to be a family activity and a prosperous sport for yers to come. However, in order to do that, they need people to want to fish and take advantage of the waterways the state and Game and Parks has available.

“Fish and water resources in Nebraska is paid for almost entirely by fishing permits and the sale of tackle and fishing equipment,” Bauer said. “We want people to be getting into the sport and getting hooked on it, because that’ll fund the water resources for the future.”

Prizes such as kayaks, gift cards, fishing packages, and more are available throughout the Take ‘Em Fishing campaign. All you need to do is register online, and then complete Bauer’s favorite part, sharing a picture from your fishing excursion.

“I love the pictures. Especially of the kids,” Bauer said. “I love the pictures of especially the kids, first fish or first fishing trip, you see their big smiles. We thought this was a good way of encouraging people to do this.”

Because of the inconsistent weather conditions throughout the spring, Bauer said fishing right now is a bit of a wildcard. However, we approach warmer times of the year, things may be heating up, just in time for folks to take advantage of the program.

“Certainly this spring we’ve had a lot of wind and a lot of cool weather,” Bauer said. “However, as we get into warmer temperatures, I hear some great reports, the further we get into the spring, the weather will straighten out and we still have some great fishing ahead of us. May and June are two of our best months each and every year.”