Nebraskaland

APRIL 2015 • NEBRASKAland 19 NEBRASKAland Visitor and Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Mara Dobesh of Wahoo, who found the stink bug on page 27. Readers are encouraged to contact NEBRASKAland within 10 days after this issue's publication with the correct page number and name of this issue's "Visitor" – a critter found in Nebraska. We will then gather the correct entries and draw one to win a NEBRASKAland Magazine mug. To enter each month, write: NEBRASKAland Visitor 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503. Or e-mail: Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov with "Visitor" in the subject line of the message. HINT: This issue's visitor is not on page 3, 7, 19, 30-37 or 56. Several species of stink bugs can be found in Nebraska, including the brown, green and twice-stabbed stink bug. Most feed on plants, using straw-like mouth parts to inject digestive enzymes into plants and suck up fluids. Some, however, such as the spined soldier bug, feed on other insects. Adults overwinter in leaf litter and vegetation, emerging in spring to lay eggs on the underside of leaves. Nymphs emerge from the eggs, looking similar to adults but lacking fully developed wings. They undergo five instars before reaching full maturity. This type of development, with three distinct life stages, is called simple metamorphosis. Some insects, such as butterflies, undergo complete metamorphosis, with four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Bugguide.net is a good site for identification. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Photo by Chris Helzer. clarity is good and it grows a lot of aquatic vegetation, which is important to the fish community. When you start putting all that together, you're going to see some pretty good looking fish, and we are." Other new reservoirs are also providing excellent fishing, as are old ones that have been rehabilitated under the Commission's Aquatic Habitat Program (AHP) and federal programs it administers, including the Sport Fish Restoration (SFR). Work on both includes building structures such as the ones used at Maple Creek to maintain good water quality, provide varied depth and fish habitat. Rehabilitating older reservoirs often also includes removal of sediment, stabilizing shorelines and building new boat ramps. Fish thrive when vegetation is flooded as the lakes are filled or refilled. Anglers can expect to see good sized bass, keeper-sized panfish, and quality channel catfish three to four years after a lake is stocked. Some of the top "new" lakes are listed here. Arnold Lake, Arnold: AHP project, stocked in 2013-14. Small but numerous largemouth bass and some keeper bluegills. Big Indian 11a, Beatrice: SFR and Lower Big Blue NRD rehabilitation, stocked in 2011. Good numbers of bass and bluegills. Burchard WMA, Burchard: AHP and SFR project completed in 2013. Lake lowered but not drained for project to maintain quality fish population. Slow to fill and new boat ramp not yet in service, but open to fishing. Hedgefield WMA, Hickman: SFR rehabilitation, stocked in 2010-11. Good numbers and size for bass and bluegills. Iron Horse Trail Lake, Du Bois: AHP, SFR and Nemaha NRD rehabilitation, stocked in 2011-12. Reservoir boasts one of the highest bass densities in the state, and some larger bass and bluegill. Lone Star Recreation Area, Tobias: New Little Blue NRD reservoir completed in 2007 with SFR. Fish slow to start but now good numbers of quality bass and a few nice crappies. Victoria Springs SRA, Anselmo: AHP project, stocked in 2013-14. Small but numerous largemouth bass and some keeper bluegills. The park's paddleboats are back on the water as well, no longer shut down by excessive vegetation in summer thanks to deeper water. Lakes Closed for work: Fish populations have been removed for rehabilitation work at the following waters: Conestoga SRA, Emerald; Lake Helen, Gothenburg; Rat and Beaver Lake, Valentine; Watts Lake, Valentine. ■ Anglers fish for panfish among flooded trees at Maple Creek Recreation Area near Leigh. PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER

• Cover