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/483826
18 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2015 April 1-6 Fort Kearny State Historical Park (SHP) visitor center open for crane viewing and history, Kearney, 308-865-5305 April 1-14 Archery paddlefish permit application period April 2 Just the Basics fishing workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6:30 p.m., 402-471-6141 April 4 Spring Eggstravaganza Ponca State Park (SP), Ponca, 402-755-2284 April 4 Bird Banding Workshop Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Gretna, 9 a.m., 402-332-3901 April 5 Light Goose Conservation Order closes in Rainwater Basin and West zones April 6 Statewide crow hunting season closes April 8 Bird Watching 101 Johnson Lake State Recreation Area (SRA), Elwood, 308-324-8484 April 11 Spring youth shotgun turkey season opens April 11-12 Platte River Art Show Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 8 a.m., 402-944-2523 April 15 Light Goose Conservation Order closes in East Zone April 18 Spring shotgun turkey season opens April 18 Outdoor Adventure Indian Cave SP, Shubert, 8 a.m., 402-883-2575 April 18 Lymphomathon Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 9 a.m., 402-944-2523 April 18-19 Great Plains Garrison Troop Muster Fort Hartsuff SHP, Burwell, 308-346-4715 April 20 Application period begins for Super Tag and Combo lottery permits April 20 Application period begins for bighorn sheep lottery permit April 24 Arbor Day, Game and Parks offices closed April 24 Team Walleye Circuit Open tournament rules meeting, Lewis and Clark SRA, Crofton, 6 p.m., 308-224-2033 April 25 Crofton Kids' Fishing Clinic Lewis and Clark SRA, Crofton, 4 p.m., 402-388-2477 April 25 Midwest Regional Cass County Championship of the World Disc Golf Tourney Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 10 a.m., 402-944-7604 April 25 Beyond Becoming an Outdoors- Woman Horses and Camping Weekend Platte River SP, Louisville, 402-471-6009 April 25-26 Team Walleye Circuit Open tournament, Lewis and Clark SRA, Crofton, 308-224-2033 April 27 Family Fishing Terry's Pit, Scottsbluff, 5 p.m., 402-471-5447 Contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at 402-471-0641 or visit OutdoorNebraska.org for more information. Visit HuntSafeNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of boating safety classes. by Jerry Kane "New" Lakes to Fish By Eric Fowler Maple Creek Reservoir near Leigh is proving once again that fishing is excellent at new reservoirs, producing largemouth bass, bluegills, channel catfish and even walleyes in both size and quality. Completed and restocked in 2010 and opened in 2011, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (NRD) flood control project was built with design and funding help from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission that will benefit the fishery and anglers for years to come. Nebraska Highway 91 crosses the upper end of the lake, slowing inflow and trapping sediment to maintain water quality. A second breakwater crossing the middle of the lake provides another buffer as well as a bridge for trails that circle the area. Additional breakwaters will prevent shoreline erosion and also provide angler access. Numerous trees were left standing and underwater shoals and gravel spawning beds built as fish habitat. Picnic areas and RV and tent campgrounds round out the recreation area. "It has good bank and boat access for anglers," said Steve Satra, the Commission's lake program specialist who helped design the reservoir. "Water