April 2022 • Nebraskaland 33
camping pads with electrical hookups and eight more
without electricity. There are another 24 designated
campsites without electricity for tent campers. Eight of
those tent sites and a day-use area are next to the lake, new
fishing pads, and a 100-yard-long sidewalk that sits above
water that is 3 feet deep and within casting distance of brush
and tree piles that attract fish.
Anglers are already flocking to the lake, some throwing
spinnerbaits from their boat searching for bass and others
content to watch from shore and wait for a panfish to pull
their bobber under. "There are always people there, any
time, even in the rain," said Jay Woltemath, who manages
the Commission's parks on the Salt Valley Lakes. "It's an
outstanding place to take little kids with Barbie poles for
bluegill fishing. I had two of my own grandkids catch their
first fish there last summer."
The trees planted around those RV campsites that were
added in 1999 have now grown up to offer plenty of shade.
None can be reserved. Visitors can no longer water ski at
Conestoga: a 5 mph speed limit was imposed to reduce wave
erosion and protect the investment. Still, the improved
fishing and other opportunities the lake offers has made the
campsites more popular than ever.
"If you want to get in there you'd better not wait until
Friday," Woltemath said.
That's what happens when the Aquatic Habitat Program
breathes new life into aging waters.
N
Tayler Spickelmier of Lincoln holds up a green sunfish
she caught while fishing with her brother, Jarrett, and
grandfather, Pat Leichleiter of Harvard.
An Anniversary Celebration
•
25th Anniversary, Aquatic Habitat Program
•
June 18, 3-7 p.m., Conestoga SRA
•
Activities: Fishing, bowfishing, kayaking, boat
tours, educational booths and food trucks.
•
Projects complete:172
•
Dollars Spent: $90 million from Aquatic
Habitat Stamp, Federal Sport Fish
Restoration Program and other sources.
