Mike Mueting and Nick Spencer of the Star City team caught a five-fish limit weighing 15.56 pounds to capture The Bass Federation – Nebraska High School Fishing Championship. The event took place July 22 at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area in Cherry County.

Cole Hall and Keegan Oettinger of North Platte’s Lincoln County Bass Bosses took second place with five fish weighing 14.45 pounds. They also caught the tournament’s biggest fish at 4.85 pounds. Colton Kelle and Jarrett Kmiecik of Wahoo’s Star City caught five fish weighing 13.76 pounds for third place.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and The Bass Federation-Student Angler Federation were hosts. Thirty teams competed in this seventh annual TBF – SAF state tournament. Each team could weigh in a maximum of five bass, with a minimum length limit of 15 inches. Congratulations to the winners and all participants!

Summer is in full swing and Nebraskans are enjoying their days on the water. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds boaters to be mindful of the state’s education requirements for boating.

Nebraska law requires any motorboat or personal watercraft operator born after Dec. 31, 1985 to complete one of the two types of boating safety courses and be in possession of a course certificate. Operators must be at least 14 years old to drive motorboats and personal watercraft in Nebraska.

The Commission has scheduled required boating safety courses at locations throughout the state in the coming months. The home-study option of the course allows participants to download and study materials online before attending a three-hour review and test-out session. Other options include an online course and a six-hour classroom course.

In August, classroom courses will be offered at Lincoln, Omaha, Papillion, Kearney, Grand Island and Norfolk. Learn more or find a course near you at our website.