Nebraskaland

March 2026 • Nebraskaland 49 Rock shoals created at Red Willow State Recreation Area will provide habitat for fish. JULIE GEISER, NEBRASKALAND Since its inception, Nebraskaland Magazine — formally Outdoor Nebraska — has strived to provide the most up- to-date information on places its readers could fish, hunt and recreate. That began with the magazine's first issue in June 1926, when outdoor enthusiasts were briefed on new land access: "Four holdings have already been purchased by the Bureau [the now Game and Parks Commission] and thrown open to the public. The largest of these is Goose Lake, in Holt County." That first publication went on to discuss the other acquisitions: Walgren Lake in Sheridan County and Rat and Beaver lakes in Cherry County. At the time, Nebraskans, with an increasing amount of spare time and money, were hungry for places to hunt, fish, camp and enjoy nature. And with the advent of the automobile, more of them had the means to get there. While there were thousands of miles of rivers and streams and hundreds of natural lakes, mostly in the Sandhills, all but a handful of the more than 400 public reservoirs we now take for granted hadn't yet been envisioned. There were only four state parks, and the agency was just beginning to acquire the first wildlife management areas, of which there are now more than 250. So any time the Commission acquired land "to provide fishing and hunting for the thousands of Nebraska citizens who desire such outdoor recreation," Outdoor Nebraska editor Frank O'Connell wrote in 1926, it was welcome news. One example is the Spring 1952 issue that features a cover teaser that read: "Four New Waters Open to Fishing." These lakes were Medicine Creek Reservoir, Atkinson Lake, Hull Lake and Smith Lake. The article revealed the most excitement, and trepidation, over Medicine Creek. "Approximately 175,000 fish — both adult and fingerlings — have been released by the Game Commission. These fish — affording a diversity of fishing — consisted of walleye, white bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish." Excitement, however, was tampered in the next line: "Though the reservoir has been amply stocked with most major species of game fish, Nebraskans are cautioned not to become too optimistic about future fishing in the reservoir. … If Medicine Creek does follow the pattern of most other reservoirs, fishing could be expected to decline in years. Tons and tons of silt being carried into the reservoir could cover and kill vegetation." The article went on to discuss that this silt would cloud the water, eliminating the insects that use this vegetation and provide food for fish. Plus, the fluctuating water levels "could play havoc with fishing success." Land continues to be acquired for Nebraskans to enjoy, and while a reservoirs continue to be built, there are few suitable locations to do so. Nebraskaland continues to highlight those additions. At the same time, it also highlights the work of the Commission's Aquatic Habitat Program, which since 1995 has been helping reverse some of decline that occurs as reservoirs age. More than 70 years after it filled, Medicine Creek is benefitting from that program with the addition of rock shoals last year. A 100-Year Focus on Recreation Celebrating 100 Years of Nebraskaland Magazine By Jeff Kurrus

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