New 2024 fishing regulations begin
Anglers need to be aware of fishing regulation changes in Nebraska for 2024, according to a Game and Parks Commission release. Notable new rules include the following.
Archery paddlefish permit holders may harvest paddlefish in the spillway below Gavins Point Dam. The north wall and discharge canal, however, remain closed to archery paddlefish fishing.
The release also stated new archery fishing regulations.
“Only the north wall of the spillway and immediately below the Gavins Point Dam powerhouse downstream to a line extending from the east end of the south cement wall of the discharge canal northwest to the east end of the north wall of the discharge canal will be closed to archery fishing during archery paddlefish season,” it read.
Statewide bag and length restrictions on channel catfish also changed. It is now restricted to one fish greater than 30 inches in length, while the daily bag limit of five on standing waters — with exceptions — remains.
Yellow perch rules at many bodies of water across the state have changed.
“The daily bag limit for yellow perch shall include only five fish 10 inches or longer, of which only one fish may be 12 inches or longer, at Home Valley Lake (Cherry County), Rat and Beaver Wildlife Management Area (Cherry County), Blue Lake (Garden County), Island Lake (Garden County), Smith Lake, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Garden County), Frye Lake WMA (Grant County), and Smith Lake WMA (Sheridan County),” the release stated.
Only one bluegill of nine inches or longer can go toward the bag limit from Duck Lake (Cherry County), Pelican Lake (Cherry Lake), Blue Lake (Garden County), Island Lake (Garden County), Smith Lake, FWS (Garden County), Frye Lake WMA (Grant County) and Smith Lake WMA (Sheridan County), too.
More 2024 fishing information can be found in the annual Fishing Guide, which is available online at outdoornebraska.gov and where 2024 fishing permits are sold.
Multispecies lottery permit applications accepted today
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting applications for multispecies Super Tag and Combo lottery permits. The process begins 1 p.m. today.
The Super Tag lottery permit will be valid for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys. Only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring, according to the Commission release.
One Super Tag permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for residents/nonresidents.
The Combo permit, meanwhile, is for one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys with the same rules as above. One permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for nonresidents only.
The multispecies lottery permits will be valid in 2024 and 2025 in open seasons with the appropriate weapons.
Interested parties may apply online at outdoornebraska.gov. Applications will be accepted through and must be received by 5 p.m. July 5.
Little Saplings program set for Wednesday
Adults and their young children are invited to the Schramm Education Center near Gretna on Wednesday for Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program.
According to a Game and Parks release, the 2024 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of every month, begins 9 and 10 a.m. Wednesday with a “Squirrels” theme. It is designed for kids ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers.
Additional outdoor events can be found online at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
— Staff reports
