JUNE 2018 • NEBRASKAland 37
The waters of the area are home to many of the 64 native and introduced fish
species that swim in the Missouri, including the endangered pallid sturgeon, the
prehistoric paddlefish and numerous game fish including catfish, northern pike,
small- and largemouth bass and sauger. False map turtles and other amphibians
also call the area home.
The area, combined with the adjacent 1,647-acre Niobrara State Park and the
4,061-acre Bazile Creek WMA, which stretches from the Niobrara River 12 miles
downriver to near Santee, will provide many recreational opportunities, including
hunting, fishing, kayaking and bird watching, as well as an additional access point
to the Missouri River. The state park's railroad trail runs between the properties
and provides an elevated view of much of the property. An access road leads to a
small concrete boat ramp in a backwater that connects to the Missouri.
Opening the land to the public was a long-time vision of landowner Tom
Hastings, who began working with the Commission on the project more than
10 years ago. It is also a big part of why Ducks Unlimited (DU) stepped in to
Niobrara Confluence WMA is a welcome addition to the public lands managed by the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission near the village of Niobrara.
MAP
BY
TRISHA
SCHLAKE,
GIS
APPLICATIONS
DEVELOPER
Niobrara
Confl uence
WMA
S
O
U
T
H
D
A
K
O
T
A
N
E
B
R
A
S
K
A
M
isso
u
ri
R
i
ve
r
M
isso
u
ri
R
i
ve
r
N
io
b
rara
Rive
r
N
io
b
rara
Rive
r
Niobrara
Niobrara
State Park
Niobrara
Confl
uence
WMA
Brazile
Creek WMA
Brazile
Creek
WMA
access road
