Jerry Kane
Public Information Officer | jerry.kane@nebraska.gov | 402.471.5008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fall Trout Stocking Has Begun

LINCOLN – Catchable-size rainbow trout are being stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in October to enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter.

Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. A spinning or spin-cast rod and reel with a hook baited with a worm will work well. Add a split shot a couple feet above the hook and a bobber a couple of feet above the split shot. Trout also can be caught with spinners, salmon eggs, dough baits and artificial flies.

The stocked trout are approximately 10 inches in length. The following stockings, with quantities, have occurred in recent days: Rock Creek Lake State Recreation Area (SRA), Parks, 296; Grabel Ponds Nos. 1, 2 and 3, Fort Robinson State Park (SP), Crawford, 800 each; Carter P. Johnson Lake, Fort Robinson SP, 2,375; Bessey Ranger District Pond, Halsey, 500; Gracie Creek Pond, Burwell, 850; Bridgeport SRA Northwest Pit, 1,400; Scottsbluff Zoo Pond, 900; Morrill Middle Pit, 450; Morrill North Pit, 1,350.

The following stockings are tentatively scheduled:

Week of Oct. 5 – Barnett Park Pond, McCook, 1,000; Oxford City Lake, Oxford, 300; Elm Creek, Red Cloud, 1,000

Oct. 6 – Crystal Cove Lake, South Sioux City, 4,250

Week of Oct. 12 – Fort Kearny SRA Lake No. 6, Kearney, 1,200; Windmill SRA Lake No. 2, Gibbon, 600; Holdrege City Lake, Holdrege, 2,000; Humphrey Pond, Ogallala, 900; Bridgeport SRA Middle Pit, 1,000; Curtis Golf Course Pond, Curtis, 150; Melham Park, Broken Bow, 1,500

Oct. 12 – Fremont SRA Lake No. 2, Fremont, 4,250 (additional 750 later in the month)

Oct. 13 – Standing Bear Lake, Omaha, 4,000; David City Park Pond West, 600

Oct. 14 – Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000; Bowling Lake south pond, Lincoln, 400

Oct. 15 – Standing Bear Lake, Omaha, 3,000; Benson Park Pond, Omaha, 1,000

Oct. 16 – TaHaZouka Park Lake, Norfolk, 1,500; Pawnee Park west pond, Columbus, 1,500

Week of Oct. 19 – Rock Creek Lake SRA, 2,000; Birdwood Wildlife Management Area, North Platte, 4,000

Oct. 19 – CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 1,500; Lake Halleck, Papillion, 1,200

Oct. 20 – Such’s Lake, Grand Island, 650; Heartwell Park, Hastings, 900; Hitchcock Lake, Omaha, 450; Towl Lake, Omaha, 300

Oct. 21 – Fairgrounds Lake, Auburn, 800; Stanton Lake, Falls City, 600; Humboldt City Park Lake, Humboldt, 600; Pawnee City Lake, Pawnee City, 300; Ord City Lake, Ord, 1,500; Ansley City Lake, Ansley, 1,200; Independence Landing, Seward, 600

Oct. 22 – Weeping Water Pond, Weeping Water, 1,500; Steinhart Park, Nebraska City, 1,200

Week of Oct. 26 – Fremont SRA Lake No. 2, Fremont, 750; Niobrara SP Pond, Niobrara, 750; Grove Lake, Royal, 1,500

November – Crystal Springs Lakes, Fairbury, 1,000

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Winter Backyard Bird Habitat Workshop Is Nov. 5 in Lincoln

LINCOLN – The bird workshop sponsored by the Wild Bird Habitat Stores of Lincoln and Omaha and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission scheduled for Oct. 8 now will take place Nov. 5. Learn how to create winter backyard bird habitat at the event at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln.

The free workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the education center, located at 4703 N. 44th St. Reserve a spot in the workshop at: http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/68869.

The education center also will host a basic bird identification workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12. Register at: http://www.register-ed.com/events/view/68870.

Call the education center at 402-471-6141 for more information.

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High Toxic Algae, E. Coli Levels Detected at Several Nebraska Lakes

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect for lakes at four Nebraska state recreation areas.  

During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) detected elevated levels of toxic algae at Rockford Lake in Gage County, Swan Creek Lake No. 5A at Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area in Saline County, and at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. 

While elevated algae levels have been recorded throughout the summer at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County, levels were within the normal range during the most recent round of testing. However, a health advisory will remain in effect until Oct. 8. 

Visitors to these lakes are advised to avoid full-body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing, and camping are OK.  

Additionally, testing detected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria at Lewis and Clark Reservoir in Knox County. No activities are prohibited as a result of E. coli levels, though visitors should be aware of the elevated levels. 

More information on algae levels at lakes statewide can be found on the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality website, deq.state.ne.us.

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