By Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Construction will begin soon on an Aquatic Habitat Project at Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area south of Rushville in Sheridan County. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will improve aquatic habitat conditions and angler access.
Starting the first week of April and continuing through the fall, visitors and anglers can expect limited access to camping, boating facilities and parts of the WMA due to construction.
The Aquatic Habitat Project will include various types of access improvements, including an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible floating fishing pier, jetties and shoreline extensions. Excavation of selected areas around angler access sites will reduce aquatic vegetation encroachment and add diversity to the lake basin. Additionally, the installation of in-lake rock habitats will create diversity for various life stages of fish and invertebrates.
Funding is being provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Aquatic Habitat Program and Federal Aid in Sportfish and Wildlife Restoration.
The Aquatic Habitat Program, established in 1997, is maintained by the purchase of the Aquatic Habitat Stamp that is included when each angler buys a fishing license. Read more about the program at OutdoorNebraska.gov.