NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1087556
52 Nebraskaland • March 2019 MIXED BAG One of the most anticipated days of the year is when the Nebraska Fishing Forecast is released. Not only can you learn fi sh numbers and sizes at lakes surveyed across the state, but you can also read further into the graphs to make this year's fi shing trips even more successful. Because I desire to predominantly catch largemouth bass on rod-and-reel, let's focus on this species. First, in the 2019 forecast Louisville State Recreation Area (SRA) Lake No. 2 surveyed the largest number of bass per electrofi shing hour. The lake also shows a fair number of fi sh at diff erent lengths, meaning that this is probably a place I could take my kids to fi sh because there will, on average, be more action than a lake like Wagon Train, which is near the bottom of the density list. However, I also have to take into consideration that this lake gets a considerable amount of water recreation pressure, namely from its swim beach, paddlers and newly installed fl oating playground. If I'm alone, I'll make sure to hit this one on a weekday afternoon or early weekend morning. If I'm with my family, it's a perfect fi sh and play location. If I'm taking a diehard angler and we're trying to chase big fi sh, I look for those lakes with the highest densities, continuing to weigh angler pressure, location, and even water clarity into my decisions. While Wanahoo has the largest density of >15-inch largemouths, I might also look at a place like Alexandria West, with its partner lake Alexandria East, for a couple of reasons. One, Alexandria is a bit farther away from the metro so fi shing pressure will be lower. Two, I haven't fi shed Alexandria in years and it will be like fi shing new water again. I will also cross-compare lake sizes with fi sh densities. If I only have a morning to fi gure out a body of water, I will choose a lake with a smaller fi sh density versus a larger lake because it might take me longer to fi nd fi sh on larger water. Because of these fi shing forecasts and the note-taking that follows, I have had epic days on lakes across Nebraska that I had never even thought of fi shing before – Arnold, Ravenna, Fremont No. 7/8, Burchard, Mayberry, Walnut Creek, Lawrence Youngman, Grove Lake and others. You can too. View the 2019 fi shing forecast at Outdoornebraska.org/ fi shingforecast. READING THE FORECAST By Jeff Kurrus BIRDSEED COOKIES MADE BY THE AUTHOR Here is an easy treat you can make for backyard birds. Servings: 4-5 medium-sized cookies Prep Time: about 10-15 minutes Cooking Time: 10-15 hours Ingredients: • 2 cups fl our • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 cup of sugar • 2/3 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco) • 2 eggs • 3/4 cup birdseed of choice • 3 egg whites • Cookie cutters • Yarn to hang cookies 1. Sift all the dry ingredients together and cut in the shortening with a blunt knife. Add the eggs. Add the birdseed and knead until smooth. Allow the dough to chill overnight. 2. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Insert a paper clip into the top of the shape to act as a hanger. Brush the cookie with beaten egg whites and press birdseed into the top of the cookie. 3. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until the cookies are hard. 4. String yarn through the paper clip and hang outside. BIRDSEED COOKIES By Julie Geiser