By Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Cutthroat and rainbow trout will be stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter.
“This program emphasizes the urban and community waters statewide,” said Greg Anderson, Game and Parks’ fish production supervisor. “Ten-inch trout are stocked to provide angling opportunities for all ages to catch and harvest.”
The stocking of trout began the week of Sept. 11 with cutthroat and rainbow species stocked in the Northwest District and continues weekly statewide throughout the fall.
“Hatchery crews work tirelessly throughout the year and drive thousands of miles ensuring trout arrive safe and healthy to their destinations,” Anderson said. “Although we have a schedule, Nebraska’s weather — or other unforeseen circumstances — may alter our plans. Be assured we’ll accommodate changes and get every trout stocked in Nebraska’s lake, ponds and creeks.”
Stocking also will take place in November and December as time and weather permit. Crystal Spring Middle Pond near Fairbury will be stocked following the cormorant migration to ensure trout are available to the anglers there.
After a renovation project at Lake Ogallala this fall is completed, more than 20,000 trout and other species will be stocked when favorable water conditions exist.
Those working to complete their Trout Slam will have their best opportunity to catch cutthroat in the northwest. Cutthroat were stocked this month in the south Grable Pond and Cherry Creek Diversion pond at Fort Robinson State Park, the Wood Reserve ponds on the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area, the White River, Sowbelly Creek and the Alliance Golf Course pond. Between 250 and 825 were released at each location.
In addition, cutthroats will be stocked between Sept. 18-Oct. 2 at:
- North Morrill Pond, Morrill, 1,000
- Scottsbluff Zoo Pond, Scottsbluff, 500
- Carter P. Johnson Lake, Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford, 1,000
- Bridgeport State Recreation Area middle lake, 1,100
- Grove Sandpit, Royal, 100
The tentative rainbow trout stocking schedule, including quantities, follows:
Week of Sept. 18
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
- Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area pond, Harrison, 600
- White River, Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford, 1,000
Week of Sept. 25
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
- Elm Creek, Elm Creek WMA, Red Cloud, 1,000
- Bridgeport State Recreation Area middle lake, 2,000
Week of Oct. 2
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
- Grove Sandpit, Royal, 75
- Fremont State Recreation Area Lake No. 2, Fremont, 4,500
- Crystal Cove Lake, South Sioux City, 4,500
- Fontenelle Forest Lake, Omaha, 1,050
- Benson Lake, Omaha, 1,200
- Ta-Ha-Zouka Park Lake, Norfolk, 1,500
- Pawnee Park West, Columbus, 500
- Bridgeport SRA northwest lake, 1,400
- Laing Lake, Alliance, 1,500
- Cherry Creek Diversion Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 250
- Sidney Legion Park Pond, Sidney, 300
- Carter P. Johnson Lake, Fort Robinson SP, 2,500
- Middle Ice House Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 200
- Lower Ice House Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 500
Week of Oct. 9
- Lake Halleck, Papillion, 1,200
- Steinhart Park Pond, Nebraska City, 800
- Weeping Water Park Pond 1, Weeping Water, 1,500
- Louisville State Recreation Area pond 1A, Louisville, 600
- Hanscom Park Pond, Omaha, 450
- Towl Park Pond, Omaha, 300
- David City Park Pond, David City, 600
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
- North Morrill Pond, Morrill, 2,250
- Middle Morrill Pond, Morrill, 450
- South Morrill Pond, Morrill, 400
- Scottsbluff Zoo Pond, Scottsbluff, 900
- Rock Creek State Recreation Area lake, Parks, 3,000
- Curtis Golf Course Pond, Curtis, 150
- Oxford City Lake, George Mitchell Park, Oxford, 300
- Plum Creek Park Lake, Lexington, 750
Week of Oct. 16
- Bessey Pond, Halsey, 600
- Ord City Lake (Auble's Pond), Ord, 1,500
- Gracie Creek Pond, Burwell, 1,000
- Melham Park Lake, Broken Bow, 875
- Ansley City Lake, Ansley, 1,000
- Heartwell Park Lakes, Hastings, 900
- GI Suck’s Lake, Grand Island, 650
- Gretna X Pond, Gretna Crossing, Gretna, 200
- CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 1,500
- Bowling Lake, Lincoln, 400
- Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000
- Humbolt City Park Lake, Humbolt, 600
- Stanton Lake, Falls City, 200
- Auburn Rotary Club Lake, Auburn Fairgrounds, Auburn, 800
- Geneva pond, Geneva, 300
- Pawnee City Park Lake, Pawnee City, 300
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
- Grove Lake WMA lake, Royal, 1,500
- Lake Helen, Gothenburg, 2,000
- Windmill No. 2, Gibbon Windmill SRA, 600
- Birdwood WMA lake, North Platte, 4,000
- Humphrey Pond, Ogallala, 600
- Bethphage Pond, Axtell, 200
Week of Oct. 23
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
Week of Oct. 30
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
- Holdrege City Lake (North Park), Holdrege, 1,800
- Fort Kearny SRA lake No. 6, Kearney, 1,280
- North Platte I-80 lake, North Platte, 4,050
- South Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 1,200
- Middle Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 400
- North Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 750
November-December
As time and weather allow, the following water bodies will be stocked with rainbow trout:
- Lake Ogallala SRA, Ogallala, 25,000
- East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 1,800
- Crystal Springs Middle Pond, Fairbury, 1,000
- CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, 3,500
- Bowling Lake, Lincoln, 400
- Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000
- Birdwood WMA lake, North Platte, 2,000
Fishing for trout is a great way to introduce all ages of anglers to fishing. A spinning or spincast rod-and-reel with a worm baited hook work well. Many of these places are ideal to try the more complicated casting involved with fly fishing.
If you are just getting into fishing, read Game and Parks’ Going Fishing Guide, available at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Find additional information on fishing or buy your fishing permit at OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish. While there, you can see what other species have been stocked in Nebraska’s waters by visiting the “Fish Stocking Database.”