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/946863
42 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2018 T he Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently sent a challenge to anglers: catch all four species of Nebraska trout – rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat – to earn recognition for doing so through the new Nebraska Trout Slam. Starting now, anglers who catch all four of these species of trout can earn a certificate, pin and bragging rights. "Nebraska's cool-water streams and the great trout fishing opportunities they provide are one of the state's best-kept secrets," said Commission Fisheries Outreach Manager Daryl Bauer. "We hope the Trout Slam encourages anglers to take advantage of this tremendous resource." Bauer admits that it might take a day for those who live in the Pine Ridge to accomplish this feat, and folks who live in other parts of the state will have to travel to the northwest to have the chance to catch a brook trout. The main idea is for anglers to see all the resources available throughout the state. "This is part of the reason for offering an angler recognition program like this – folks may have to travel to some parts of the state they have not seen before and see resources they may not have known even existed in Nebraska." The first place to start would be out west, where trout can be found in numerous public water streams, including Soldier Creek at Fort Robinson State Park, the White River and Nine Mile Creek. Popular trout streams are also in other parts of the state, notably the North Platte River below Lake Ogallala in Keith County; Schlagel Creek in Cherry County; Long Pine, Plum and Bone creeks in Brown County; and the east branch of Verdigre Creek in Antelope County. Additionally, Game and Parks stocks catchable- size rainbow trout at dozens of locations across the state each year. However, because the tiger trout is a hybrid species, it will not be considered for Trout Slam recognition. "It may take an angler a week, several weeks, months, or maybe more than a year to complete the Nebraska Trout Slam," said Bauer. "No matter, take as long as needed. When it is accomplished your award will be coming your way." Complete contest rules and regulations, as well as a link to the entry form, is available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/troutslam. The web page also provides links to resources for identifying trout and an interactive map showing where various species of trout may be found across the state. ■ Nebraska's Trout Slam By NEBRASKAland Staff New challenge aimed at anglers. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Brown trout (Salmo trutta) Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS PHOTO BY BOB GRIER PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY