Nebraskaland

26 Nebraskaland • October 2021 South Pond (0.5 acre) — As the farthest pond from the parking lot, the south pond requires a hike of about a half-mile over a trail that was cleared by a bulldozer during the renovations. Because it is directly fed by cool water from the spring, it is being managed for brook trout only and has received two years of stockings. Rydell said many of those fi sh have had some time to grow and some should be more than 12 inches long. "It's a pretty challenging fi shery. It has brushy terrain, and no angler access features. It's more for the experienced angler," Rydell said. Cherry Creek System By turning east from U.S. Highway 20 at the entrance of the park's main campus and traveling gravel road for 1.2 miles, visitors encounter the Cherry Creek ponds, both of which were drained and renovated in 2019- 2020. Cherry Creek Pond (2.6 acres) — The main pond sits near the road, so anglers can have their line in the water after a short walk from the vehicle. Since renovation, the primary goal has been to establish a smallmouth bass population, with yellow perch and bluegills also on the stocking schedule for this year. If those species do well enough, the plan calls for adding channel catfi sh and black crappies. "Until the smallmouth grow a little, there's not much worth fi shing for in Cherry Creek. It will take a few years to get those populations established," Rydell said. Regardless, it is not too early for a visit to its new boardwalk pier or a fl oat from one of its two canoe-kayak launches. Cherry Creek Diversion (0.5 acres) — Nestled just behind the Cherry Creek Pond to the west is its diversion pond. Directly fed by the cold water of a spring, the pond is being managed for trout. It already has had two stockings of brook trout. Rainbow stockings also are in the plan, mainly to alleviate fi shing pressure on the brookies, Rydell said. "Even with two-fi sh bag limit on brook trout, we anticipate that pond getting a lot of pressure," he said. "It is sure to be popular among anglers working on the Trout Slam." Grabel System About a mile southeast down the road from Cherry Creek Ponds are the three Grabel Ponds. Fed from a spring that originates nearby, the water becomes warmer as it travels northward through the ponds. Through the years, fi ve ponds have been consolidated to three. The south and middle ponds were the subject of extensive renovations in 2019-2020. Amply stocked, these ponds provide promise to anglers of many skill levels. Grabel South (1.75 acres) — Similar to Cherry, the fi rst pond in the system is directly fed by cold spring water and is managed for trout. Moreover, because the pond was deepened, it can hold more fi sh than before. Rainbows, brookies and tigers have been stocked so far, and cutthroats are in the plan. Recent improvements to the pond included a handicapped-accessible covered pier and concrete canoe-kayak launch. Grabel Middle (2.3 acres) — The 20-acre Carter P. Johnson Reservoir, Fort Robinson State Park's largest impoundment, and Crazy Horse Pond, at right, are located on Soldier Creek. Improvements are scheduled for both.

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