Anglers need to be aware of fishing regulation changes in Nebraska that take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s changes to 2023 fishing rules are:

No Live Baitfish Waters – Crystal Lake (Adams County), Wagon Train State Recreation Area/Wildlife Management Area (Lancaster County), East Sutherland WMA (Lincoln County), West Cozad WMA (Dawson County) and Standing Bear Lake (Douglas County) were added to the list of water bodies where it is illegal to possess or use live baitfish while fishing. Victoria Springs SRA (Custer County), Heartwell Park Lake (Adams County) and Lincoln Park Pond (Nuckolls County) were removed from the list. 

Black Bass – Ansley Lake (Custer County), Flanagan Lake (Douglas County), Alda DOT (Hall County), Birdwood WMA (Lincoln County) and East Sutherland WMA are added and Victoria Springs Lake SRA is removed from the waters that require a 21-inch minimum length on black bass.

Channel Catfish – The location designated on the Republican River above Harlan County Reservoir for the five-fish daily bag limit on channel catfish is changed to the Highway 89 bridge west of Orleans.

Walleye, Sauger and Saugeye – The location designated on the Republican River above Harlan County Reservoir for size limits on walleye, sauger and saugeye is changed to the Highway 89 bridge west of Orleans.

Flanagan Lake – The catch-and-release designation is removed from this Omaha lake. No harvest of northern pike is allowed. There is an 8-inch maximum length limit on bluegill and redear sunfish, and a 10-inch maximum length limit on crappie.

Lake McConaughy – It is illegal to possess walleye, white bass or striped bass hybrids on Lonergan Creek and Otter Creek from their junction at the McConaughy lakeshore upstream to, and including, the culvert under Highway 92 from April 1 through June 30.

Special Fishing Permits – The process for obtaining these permits for disabled anglers has been simplified. Application forms are available in Game and Parks offices or at OutdoorNebraska.org. Annual renewals may be purchased in Game and Parks offices or online.

Anglers can read the 2023 Fishing Guide when it is available by January at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Celebrate the new year with First Day Hikes

Multispecies lottery permit applications accepted beginning Jan. 2

Applications for multispecies Super Tag and Combo lottery permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning Jan. 2, 2023.

The Super Tag lottery permit will be valid for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). One permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for residents/nonresidents. People may apply for the residents-only permit once per year for $25. People may apply for the resident/nonresident permit multiple times per year for $10 per application.

The Combo permit will be valid for one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). One permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for nonresidents only. Qualifying persons may apply multiple times per year for $10 per application.

These multispecies lottery permits will be valid in 2023 and 2024 in open seasons with the appropriate weapons. Winners of these permits will require a Habitat Stamp.

Applications will be received beginning at 1 p.m. Central time on Jan. 2. They must be received by Game and Parks by 5 p.m. (11:59 p.m. if applying online) on July 7.

Beginning Jan. 2, visit OutdoorNebraska.org to apply.

Three Nebraska big game meetings rescheduled

Three big game public information meetings planned by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have been postponed.

These meetings, originally scheduled in December, now are set for January. The schedule for those three:

Jan. 9 – Gordon, Gordon City Auditorium, 311 N. Oak St. 

Jan. 11 – Norfolk, Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center, 801 E. Benjamin Ave.

Jan. 11 – Oshkosh, Oshkosh Auditorium, 602 W. 2^nd St.

Hunters and landowners are encouraged to offer their feedback on big game issues during these three-hour meetings. Each of the three-hour meetings begins at 5 p.m.

View the complete schedule of big game meetings around the state, or register for one of two virtual meetings, at Outdoornebraska.gov/fishandgamemeetings/.

Aquatic Habitat and Boating Access project to begin at Standing Bear Reservoir

Standing Bear Lake is being drawn down in preparation for a much-anticipated Aquatic Habitat and Boating Access project.

The water level will be lowered about 20 feet in the 135-acre northwest Omaha lake so work can start in early spring of 2023. Visitors can expect the boat ramp and part of the northeast access area to be closed once construction starts.

The project will focus on improvements to the boat ramp on the south side of the lake and angler access on the north side.

The boat ramp will be upgraded to a double ramp with two separate docks. The ramp will be protected from wind and wave action with an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible jetty.

A separate kayak launch will be developed to help relieve congestion at the boat ramp.

Angler access to the north shore will be improved with a series of “bump outs” and a wooden pier. The main lake basin will be enhanced with underwater rock shoals, rock vegetation barriers and weighted cedar trees enhancing the diversity of habitat conditions for sport fish.

Information is displayed on billboards at several locations around the reservoir depicting the improvements and trail closures. Construction is expected to be completed by early fall.

Chemical renovation of the remaining fish will be conducted with Rotenone in the spring and stocking of largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish will start after water levels start to improve. 

During the drawdown this winter, ice fishing is strongly discouraged as water levels will continue to drop, making ice conditions unpredictable.

The floating trail will be closed for safety concerns until the project is completed and water levels return to normal.  Water levels are expected to remain low through the fall of 2023 as refilling is dependent on rainfall. 

This is a cooperative project by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, City of Omaha Park and Recreation Department, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Funding is provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Aquatic Habitat and Angler Access Fund and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Catch these Game and Parks education events in January

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in January. Here are some opportunities:

Nature Inquiry Workshop Series set for early childhood educators

The Nature Inquiry Workshop Series is a weekly virtual event for early childhood educators starting Jan. 3. The workshops — at 6 p.m. — are free.

Each workshop explores inquiry-based learning using an element of nature, such as birds or insects. Educators will learn how to facilitate inquiry-based learning, which prioritizes a learner’s questions and ideas by engaging their sense of curiosity and awe.

The themes are: Jan. 3 – Birds; Jan. 10 – Seasons; Jan. 17 – Insects; Jan. 24 – Senses; and Jan. 31 – Life Cycles.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov to register. For questions, email [email protected].

Little Saplings early childhood program presents Evergreens

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2023 series begins Jan. 4 with the theme Evergreens at 9 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program and includes admission to the Education Center after the program.

See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

‘The Science of …’ virtual webinar series continues

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s virtual webinar series “The Science of …” continues in January. Every Thursday at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators will discuss the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.

The topics are: Jan. 5 – Woodpeckers; Jan. 12 – Keystone Species; Jan. 19 – Prairie Chickens; Jan. 26 – Darters and Minnows

The webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for registration links.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

‘Trees and Me’ early childhood educator workshop planned

Early childhood educators are invited to join the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to learn about “Trees and Me,” new curriculum aimed at connecting children to trees in their neighborhood.

The free virtual course is 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 5 Central time.

The course will explore activities from Project Learning Tree’s Trees & Me curriculum focused on students ages 1-6. The virtual course qualifies for Nebraska Department of Education Office of Early Childhood in-service hours.

Register through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email [email protected].

Nature Detectives offers animal ID skills

Join Family Nature Club: Nature Detectives from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at Elks Shelter, Riverside Park, Scottsbluff to sharpen your observation skills.

Families will discover how to look for animal tracks and other signs of animal activity to find out which animals have visited an area. All should dress for the weather, and bring snacks or water as needed.

Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to investigate the nature around them and to complete challenges at home between sessions.

Register for the free event through the listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email [email protected].

Join the Winter Family Nature Club

Winter doesn’t mean outdoor adventure has to end; it just changes the experience.

Join the Winter Family Nature Club, an effort to empower families to explore nature and practice outdoor skills even in wintertime.

Events are planned from 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 11 at Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area near Stanton.

Registration is required through the listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email [email protected].

Wildcat Tales preschool program is Jan. 17

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Jan. 17.

The program Groundhogs will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. There will be a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Homeschool Hike set for Jan. 18-19 at Schramm Park SRA  

Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike to learn about fish at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program Jan. 18 and 19.

Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families.

During the January program, participants will take a guided hike to the canyon ponds to observe trout in their habitat and then will spend the rest of the program in the nature center classroom creating art for the 2023 Fish Art Contest, a national competition to learn about native fish and their habitat.

The program will be offered both from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 19.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance at forms.gle/Vjg38GEqXHgGEkLFA. Cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program. This includes admission to the Schramm Education Center after the program. Schramm Family Pass members participate free.

This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.

Participants should dress in season-appropriate layers and wear closed-toed shoes that can get dirty. Hats and water bottles are recommended.

Wildcat Hills to host Rough Reptiles homeschool program

Discover the bumpy, lumpy reptiles of western Nebraska and learn their adaptations during the Wildcat Hills Homeschool Program Rough Reptiles on Jan. 19.

This program meets at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Join Getting Little Feet Wet early childhood educator workshop

Early childhood educators are invited to join the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to learn about early childhood curriculum focused on exploring aspects of  water.

The free virtual course is 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 19 Central time.

The course explores 11 interactive, hands-on activities from Project Learning Tree’s Getting Little Feet Wet, which is aimed at students ages 1-6. The virtual course qualifies for Nebraska Department of Education Office of Early Childhood in-service hours.

Register through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. For questions, email [email protected].

Clear Creek WMA reopens to vehicle access

Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area in Garden and Keith counties has reopened to vehicle access.

It had been closed because a recent winter storm produced high winds and heavy, drifting snow there.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission advises anyone traveling on the WMA to watch the weather conditions as continued blowing snow could cause drifting on some roads.