Nebraskaland

October 2021 • Nebraskaland 25 Slam — brook, rainbow, cutthroat and brown — can be caught in the park or nearby, as well as the brown- brook hybrid known as tiger trout. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegills, channel catfi sh, crappies and yellow perch also swim waters of select ponds. As the fi sh continue to grow, surely too will tales of fi shing success by those who visit Fort Robinson. Larry Olson of Crawford has developed a love of the area's fi shing opportunities over the years, fi rst during his time as a student at Chadron State College, then as a father and now as a grandfather. Olson said he and his family are looking forward to the smallmouth bass, brook trout and panfi sh recently stocked in the renovated waters to grow in coming years. There is plenty to keep the family busy in the meantime, though. "The ponds with trout are always well stocked," he said. "There are plenty of small panfi sh in Carter P. Johnson Reservoir to keep anyone busy with just a bobber and a worm. The streams off er quality trout fi shing whether it be with a fl y rod or spinning tackle. There are some real lunker bass and catfi sh in some of the ponds that can test your tackle." Fort Robinson, by Pond and Stream Joe Rydell, a fi sheries biologist for the Game and Parks Commission's northwestern district, has played a key role in the planning and execution of the aquatic habitat and access projects at Fort Robinson State Park. A guide for those looking to explore the depths of Fort Robinson's fi shing opportunities, with Rydell's insights, follows. Ice House Ponds At the western edge of Fort Robinson, the Ice House Ponds are situated just one-half mile from U.S. Highway 20. From a gravel parking lot, anglers access the ponds by crossing a footbridge over the White River, which receives the overfl ow from the ponds. With depths approaching 12 feet, the ponds required no excavations during the renovations. North Pond (2.5 acres) — The fi rst pond anglers encounter after the short hike over the bridge is a dandy. To complement the existing largemouth bass and bluegill population, Rydell said stockings of yellow perch, channel catfi sh, rainbow trout and crappies are planned. Three angler access pads and a canoe-kayak launch were added during the recent renovations. Middle Pond (1.4 acres) — As with the north pond, the middle is managed for warmwater species and has a similar population of species and stocking plan. Note that in fi sh stocking reports, the middle pond is referred to as the Ice House Diversion Pond. A hidden fi shery at Fort Robinson is Crazy Horse Pond, downstream from Carter P. Johnson Reservoir. While choked with vegetation now, plans are to renovate the pond and make it a premier hike-in fi shing spot.

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