August-September 2026 • Nebraskaland 29
WHAT TO DO IN AUGUST
AND SEPTEMBER
Hoppers
Match the hatch at many of our
p u b l i c f i s h e r i e s b y w a l k i n g t h e
b a n k s a n d n e a r b y f i e l d s b e f o r e
wetting a line in search of hoppers.
There doesn't seem to be a fish alive
that won't chase a grasshopper —
whether real or artificial — including
rainbow trout in western streams to
largemouth bass statewide.
PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
First Fall Color
Find your first fall color at the end of
September at Nebraska's northern parks
— including Ponca, Smith Falls and
Niobrara state parks and Long Pine and
Lewis and Clark state recreation areas.
"Green ash, walnut, Kentucky coffee,
aspen and smooth sumac will begin to
turn in normal years," said Jeff Fields,
parks division administrator for Game
and Parks. "Paper birch and aspen" at
Smith Falls. Fields also said vines such
as poison ivy and Virginia creeper will
begin to turn red as well.
Other hardwoods, such as bur oak,
cottonwood and linden, will change in
mid-October.
PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
Football
at the Parks
With today's streaming world, it's
pretty easy to have everything. You
can watch the Husker game at the RV
and, when the game is over, grab a
fishing rod and catch a few for supper.
Nebraska's football team opens their
s e a s o n S e p t . 5 , r i g h t a ro u n d t h e
time the summer push is ending at
Nebraska's state parks. Reserve a spot
at OutdoorNebraska.gov and project
the big game on the big screen — then
be prepared to introduce yourself to a
few new friends who just happen to be
walking by.
PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
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