Sep 22, 2022

Game and Parks announces rainbow trout stocking schedule in Panhandle

Posted Sep 22, 2022 12:30 PM

By Nebraska Game and Parks

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 will begin the week of Sept. 26 and continue weekly through October.

“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 may have its own mind that alters our plans. Be assured we’ll accommodate the schedule, however, unforeseen issues besides weather, like unfavorable water body conditions, vehicle and mechanical failures, can occur.”

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. A project will take place at Lake Ogallala this fall, necessitating a drawdown. It will be stocked once work there is complete and favorable water conditions exist.

Fishing for trout is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. A spinning or spin-cast rod and reel with a hook baited with a worm will work well. Add a split shot a couple of feet above the hook and a bobber a couple of feet above the split shot. Spinners, salmon eggs, dough baits and artificial flies also can catch trout.

If you are just getting into fishing, a helpful resource is Game and Parks’ Going Fishing Guide, available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/howtofish.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/fishing for more information on fishing in Nebraska.

The following is the tentative rainbow trout stocking schedule, including quantities:

Week of Sept. 26

  1. Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area pond, Harrison, 600
  2. White River, Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford, 1,000
  3. Bridgeport State Recreation Area middle lake, 2,000
  4. South Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 1,170
  5. Middle Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 340

Week of Oct. 3

  1. Holdrege City Lake, 130
  2. Lake Helen, Gothenburg, 100
  3. Birdwood WMA, North Platte, 200
  4. Bridgeport SRA northwest lake, 1,400
  5. Laing Lake, Alliance, 1,500
  6. Lake Carter P. Johnson, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 2,500
  7. Cherry Creek Diversion Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 250
  8. Sidney Legion Park Pond, 300
  9. East Branch of Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Week of Oct. 10

  1. Elm Creek, Elm Creek WMA, Red Cloud, 1,000
  2. North Morrill pond, 2,250
  3. Middle Morrill pond, 450
  4. South Morrill pond, 400
  5. Riverside Park Pond, Scottsbluff, 900
  6. Holdrege City Lake, 1,870
  7. Fort Kearny SRA No. 6, 1,200
  8. Rock Creek Lake, Parks, 3,000
  9. Curtis golf course pond, 200
  10. Oxford City Lake, 300
  11. Crystal Cove Lake, South Sioux City, 3,600
  12. Fremont Lakes SRA No. 2, 3,600
  13. East Branch of Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Week of Oct. 17

  1. Such’s Lake, Grand Island, 650
  2. Heartwell Park Lake, Hastings, 900
  3. Geneva Pond, 300
  4. Pawnee City Park Lake, 300
  5. Optimist Lake, Auburn, 800
  6. Stanton Lake, Falls City, 200
  7. Humboldt City Park Lake, 600
  8. Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000
  9. Bowling Lake south pond, Lincoln, 400
  10. CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 1,500
  11. Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home pond, Kearney, 200
  12. Ansley City Lake, 1,000
  13. Melham Park Lake, Broken Bow, 875
  14. Auble Pond, Ord, 1,500
  15. Bessey Pond, Halsey, 600
  16. Gracie Creek Pond, Burwell, 1,000
  17. Lake Helen, Gothenburg, 1,900
  18. Windmill SRA No. 2, Gibbon, 600
  19. Plum Creek Park Lake, Lexington, 750
  20. Birdwood WMA, North Platte, 3,800
  21. Middle Ice House Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 200
  22. Lower Ice House Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 500
  23. Humphrey Pond, Ogallala, 600
  24. Steinhart Park Pond, Nebraska City, 800
  25. Weeping Water Park Pond 1, 1,500
  26. Lake Halleck, Papillion, 1,200
  27. Fontenelle Park Pond, Omaha, 1,200
  28. Benson Park Pond, Omaha, 1,050
  29. Louisville SRA Pond 1A, 600
  30. David City Park Pond, 600
  31. Hanscom Park Pond, Omaha, 450
  32. Towl Park Pond, Omaha, 300
  33. Fremont Lakes SRA No. 2, 900
  34. Crystal Cove Lake, South Sioux City, 1,400
  35. East Branch of Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Oct. 22

  1. Ta-Ha-Zouka Park Lake, Norfolk, 1,500
  2. Pawnee Park west pond, Columbus, 1,500

Week of Oct. 24

  1. Grove Lake WMA, Royal, 1,500
  2. Grove Lake sandpit, Royal, 75

November

  1. Crystal Springs Middle Pond, Fairbury, 1,200
  2. Lake Ogallala SRA, Ogallala, 10,000

December

  1. Birdwood WMA, North Platte, 4,000
  2. CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 3,500
  3. Bowling Lake south pond, Lincoln, 3,500
  4. Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000
  5. Lake Ogallala SRA, Ogallala, 10,000