You would have the same opportunity, just have to work a little harder for it!
Daryl B.
How would a normal guy like me have the same opportunity to go fish private locked waters? Just curious. What kind of work are we talking. Door knocking and begging or what ?
[/quote]
Check out my first post, follow the links. You can have the same opportunity on public waters, you just gotta do your homework and put in the time!
Daryl B.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>whitetips2 wrote:</div>
I absolutely understand the filming on a private water–only so much time to put video in the can and produce an episode. When the camera is rolling, you gotta catch fish, big fish!Having said that, there is plenty of comparable opportunity on public waters in Nebraska!
I don’t know, but these statements seem to contradict each other. The first about having to fish private water to catch big fish in a limited period of time…which would be the case for visitors wanting to catch nice fish with the limited time they would be visiting.
But then the second statement you say there’s “plenty of comparable opportunity on public waters”…so why didn’t the show film on those “comparable” public waters?
I love the IDO shows for not only the entertainment, but the technique information as well as highlighting the region they are fishing. I’m sure this is a good promotion and brings awareness for those areas to have viewers consider a trip to those places and help support the local economy. As well as enjoy an area they may not normally know about as a fishing destination.
Not trying to be overly critical here, but I kind of agree with what some other’s have commented in that if anyone decided to fish that destination, we’d not have the same opportunity as was seen on the show.
You would have the same opportunity, just have to work a little harder for it!
Daryl B.
I absolutely understand the filming on a private water–only so much time to put video in the can and produce an episode. When the camera is rolling, you gotta catch fish, big fish!
Having said that, there is plenty of comparable opportunity on public waters in Nebraska! If you want some ideas on where, make sure to check out the annual Fishing Forecast. To give you an even bigger hint, be sure to check out the forecast for the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.
Valentine is mentioned in the video, and that is one of the best places to base out of, plenty of lodging, dining, etc., Visit Valentine. If you make a trip, at least one night you have to have a Nebraska steak!
I am a Nebraska native, have fished those lakes all my life. Most winters at least a few fish like those in the episode come through my ice holes, most on public waters. If you have any questions, just ask,
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Wake up Neb. forum! James just slayed somes slabs in a pothole south of Valentine near the Merritt Reservoir-anyone have any tips for finding a good lake in this area? I have inlaws that live out there so I might just wet a line this summer. Thanks
Great show, great example of the potential Nebraska’s sandhill lakes offer. If you are looking for where to go, you gotta start here:
And here:
Valentine Refuge Fisheries Sampling Summary
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/category/barbs-and-backlashes/
http://ilovelakemac.com/lake-info/outdoor-report/
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
I have to chime it, this is a “soap-box” I am always ready to climb onto, .
In Nebraska, we have a statewide bag limit of 15 panfish, panfish in the aggregate, for almost all Nebraska waters. That is relatively restrictive and it does help protect some of our quality and trophy-size panfish.
But, it ain’t enough. When word gets out about a hot ice-bite, the hordes descend. That is not so bad if it were not for those that harvest every panfish they catch, especially the big ones, and keep going back day after day. They keep going back until the bite slows or stops. Wonder why the fish “quit biting”?????
On the regulatory side, I have listened to the wailing and gnashing of teeth whenever we suggest more restrictive harvest regulations for panfish. There is still this false, mistaken, WRONG philosophy that you HAVE to harvest panfish lest they become “stunted”. No, nowadays we have way more panfish populations that suffer from over-harvest than those that are suffering from over-population and stunting.
We have a sandhill lake in north-central Nebraska that was recently renovated to knock back common carp. We are implementing a 12-inch minimum length limit for the yellow perch there to see if we can maintain a quality perch fishery. We will see how that works, but I suspect we may need other special regulations to protect other fisheries capable of producing trophy bluegills, trophy crappies and trophy yellow perch. We may be able to implement a few of those regulations on an individual waterbody basis, but I know we will hear howling about it from the catch-all-you-can and can-all-you-catch crowd.
Angler attitudes have changed dramatically in the past 20-40 years. We need to keep talking about those new attitudes and keep spreading the word! And when fisheries management agencies try to do more to protect big panfish, we need to make sure they know we are in favor of those management efforts. We need to be louder than the fish hogs.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Thanks Daryl, can’t wait to try out some of the areas you suggested. What size wipers are people catching in the reservoirs? Its new territory for me but I heard it can be spectacular… And do you fish for them similar to white bass (spinners, small crank baits, etc)?
The wipers from the Salt Valley reservoirs can range from a couple of pounds all the way up to 10 and maybe more. Yes, they are half white bass, so white bass tactics work. Wipers are large, open-water predators that spend most of their time roaming open water feeding on open-water baitfish, especially gizzards shad in those waters. Find the shad, match the shad. Spinners, spoons, crankbaits, swim-baits, jigs can all work well. Top-water baits can be unbelievable when you get into a surface feeding frenzy and as the water cools vertical presentations with jigging spoons, blade baits and tail-spinners work well.
As I mentioned the smaller reservoirs we have in eastern Nebraska are not as favorable of wiper habitats as some of our larger reservoirs out west. I will tell you to expect to work for wipers anywhere you fish for them just because they school and they are on the move a lot. Locate a school and the fishing can be unbelievable. On the other hand you might cover a lot of water and fish a long time to find a school.
Oh, by the way, tackle up from your usual white bass gear. A big wiper will bust that stuff up in a hurry. Do not even think about using the jigs you typically buy in tackle shops, a wiper will straighten the hooks on those things on the first run. I have a bunch of jigs, some of them salt water jigs, with forged or heavy duty hooks that I use for wipers.
If you have any other questions, just ask, anytime!
Daryl B.
Thanks Daryl, good information. I think Wanahoo sounds like a good place to try. Where exactly is Two Rivers 5 and are the smallmouth in any abundance? Also a little further drive to reservoirs might be fun for wipers, would really like to try that sometime as well…
Two Rivers State Recreation Area is just west of Omaha. There are a series of sandpit lakes on that area and one of them, pit #5 is managed as a put & take trout fishery. Unfortunately, stinkin’ bucket biologists have illegally released fathead minnows and goldfish in “the trout lake”. So, we stocked some smallmouth bass there to take advantage of the minnows and goldfish without eating all of the trout. I will not tell you that there are a lot of smallmouth bass in that lake, but you can look at the fish population sampling summaries and see there are enough to fish for and there are some big fish present. All of those smallies would have to be released, or pretty much all, there is a 21-inch minimum length limit on all black bass on the entire Two Rivers SRA.
Yes, definitely plan to fish Wanahoo!
We have some wipers in the Salt Valley reservoirs around Lincoln, a hour or so drive west of Omaha. Branched Oak, Stagecoach and Wagon Train would be worth a try, but wipers are large open-water predators and our best wiper fisheries are on our larger reservoirs out west–Elwood, Red Willow, McConaughy, Calamus would be some of our best.
Daryl B.
Start here, 2015 Fishing Forecast, and for the Omaha area, make sure to check this out too, 2015 Omaha Area Fishing Forecast.
Feel free to get back to me with any questions you might have.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Was on the ice again this week and looks like I will be some more in the coming days.
It ain’t over yet!!!!
Daryl B.
Impressive fish.
What is the water temp. at the local reservoirs? Looks like next week won’t cool them down much.
All I can tell you is what I have, mid-50’s to 60 on the waters I have fished in the past week+; waters from central to eastern Nebraska.
Daryl B.
Brian and I have talked about this a little bit. . . . Every year is different, fish movements and behavior follow the seasons from year to year, but water levels and weather patterns differ from year to year and that always makes it a challenge. I know fish move in the canal system in central Nebraska all the time and the more water flowing through that system the more they move. I also suspect that gizzard shad dynamics and hatch have been different this year as well. It is always a puzzle to figure out and that is why we never get tired of it!
I know this much, Brian is a good stick who spends a lot of time on the water–eventually he will figure ’em out!
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
http://neblandvm.outdoornebraska.gov/category/barbs-and-backlashes/
Quote:
I haven’t been on the forum in quite sometime and usually enjoy reading the posts from anglers in Nebraska, but this time there was absolutely nothing new? Nobody fishing or just too good to take time to post? haha
On another note, I’m hoping to get out to Davis Creek shortly, the last time I went out there when they were filling it up I really had a hard time targeting any walleye? The “usual” places I had luck at previous to the raising water level didn’t pan out. I hadn’t ran up to the inlet until the very end of my trip but when I did, there were so many shad up there that I almost thought they were Asian flying carp, they were jumping everywhere! I guess my main question would be,,, what is the best presentation in a situation like that? I imagine the majority of game fish were up on that end of the lake taking advantage of all the baitfish? The problem is, there are so many of them how does a guy compete or present a bait in those circumstances? Fishing for ideas I guess
Fishing in an abundance of natural prey is one of the most difficult fishing situations. I cannot tell you that I have any secrets or great ideas. I will tell you that when prey is very abundant the fish we are trying to catch tend to be the most selective–they are “zoned-in” on the abundant prey and that is the only thing they may be preying upon. So, the best presentation strategies are usually to try to match the size, shape, maybe color and especially behavior of the natural prey. I try to do all of that but try to make my bait “stand out in the crowd” by maybe offering a splash of color that makes it stand out, or by presenting it in a way that it will be an easier meal than all of the natural prey.
Try those things, but you may find that with the abundance of prey feeding periods are relatively brief. Feeding activity may be intense during those periods, but they may not last long. You may just have to be there at the right time, during one of those brief feeding windows.
Do not know if any of that helps, but it might give you some ideas,
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Saltwater X-Rap.
Daryl B.
Quote:
How long does the “slabbing” bite for walleyes generally last in our reservoirs? A friend talking me into going last weekend and we had decent luck. I normally don’t fish this late in the year and had never been slabbing before. Had lots of fun learning a new technique. Just wondering how much longer the good bite would last. Also, any advice on slabbing to help with the learning curve would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Here is a couple photos of the two biggest caught.
The “slabbing bite” will last until the water is too hard to launch a boat.
And then you can go drill a hole and pick up where you left off! 
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
That is really good for that stretch of river! Not many walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike are caught that far south, but you never know what you might catch on the river, especially after the great flood of 2011.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Quote:
NOPE, I don’t fish for any of those. No desire to! Im all about marble eyes!
Well then you still need to check out some Nebraska waters. In know guys from Minnesota who come to fish for walleyes in Nebraska every year!
Daryl B.
Quote:
Ok let me clarify. The only good time on the east side of the state around Omaha. Plus if you try to compare fishing in Nebraska to states around us. Our fishing is mediocre at best. South and North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Out of what I call the fishing belt. Ours has a lot to be desired. We just don’t have the bodies of water like those states. Now out west you have better fishing but if I’m driving 200 plus miles I’d rather go to South Dakota than western Nebraska. I fish all those states and there’s no comparison
Yep, our neighboring states have more water than we do, but Nebraska offers some good fishing opportunities. We offer quality fishing for a variety of species. Have you done any fishing for wipers in any of the states you mentioned? How about flatheads? Pound-plus bluegills?
Run down the fishing in Nebraska as much as you want. You bet there is a lot of good fishing in other states I would like to take advantage of too, and if I get enough time I will. But, I also know that Nebraska has a lot to offer, a lot of variety, and a lot of quality fish too. Oh, and by the way, we have a lot of folks from other states that come here to fish too.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, but. . . .
I am pretty sure firearms are not a legal method of taking fish in Nebraska. And, I am real sure it probably would not be very safe.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Quote:
If you want to eat them, then go ahead. When I take my boat out of leech lake it not covered in [censored] (literally) I personally don’t feel like eating anything from souix city cause of all the crap in the water. Its know to be bad on outboards and other engine parts. Its just my choice
It is your choice. All I am saying is know what is really out there, find the facts. There are plenty of fish consumption advisories in Minnesota too, including Leech Lake, Fish Consumption Advisories for Minnesota Lakes.
Everything is not what it seems to be on the surface.
Daryl B.
Quote:
Sorry when I go to Minnesota I fish clean clear water. I have been going up there all my life. The river from souix city down is nasty gross! Ha ve you aen how you boat looks after to take it out of the river? Ya that’s why I chose not to eat them. Just because some study shows or tells something doesn’t mean I believe them. So I don’t think so
So you can look in the water and see if it is good or not? You can see whether the fish have any toxins in their flesh?
They don’t have fish consumption advisories on Minnesota Rivers, Fish Consumption Guidelines for Minnesota Rivers??????
Daryl B.
Quote:
You let us know if you get sick too. I don’t eat the fish out of the Missouri let alone dirty flood water with bacteria in it. Just cause someone’s says its safe, do you want to be the first one to try it? Just a thought
Won’t eat fish out of the Missouri? Why not?
There are NO BANS on the consumption of fish from any body of water in Nebraska. Nebraska’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) tests the fillets of a variety of fish collected from waters all across Nebraska. If the levels of a variety of toxins exceed safe levels in those fish fillets, then DEQ issues fish consumption advisories recommending that folks may want to limit, not necessarily eliminate, their consumption of fish from those waters. Those advisories are very conservative and based on the assumption that a person would eat a meal of fish from that one body of water, once a week, every week for a period of years and then they would have an increased chance of getting sick, probably developing cancer, because of the toxins that have been found in the fish fillets from those waters where consumption advisories are issued. I don’t know about you, but I do not eat that much fish from any body of water and would not hesitate to eat fish from any water in the state including the Missouri River.
Read more about the fish consumption advisories and what it all means, and make your own decisions, Nebraska’s Department of Environmental Quality .
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Quote:
It’s been rough. I’m 1 for 5 last 5 trips out. Today Harlan was tough for us, but at least we got a few fish in the boat, even if they weren’t the right ones. Water here from Colorado has it all screwed up. I’ve never seen brown water like this before. The entire canal system, Johnson, all of it, dark brown.
Speakin of which, I wonder how the e Coli being 20x the acceptable parts per million will affect our fisheries. Any word on that Daryl?
The E. coli will not affect the fish at all. Coliform bacteria infects mammals. Don’t drink the water.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
It’s fall! Fishing reports dry up in the fall mostly because everyone is busy with other activities. As fall sports kick off and hunting seasons open there are a whole bunch of folks who put the rods & reels away.
That does NOT mean the fish are not biting, in fact I consider right now to be the best open-water fishing of the year. A guy just has to go and make his own reports!
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Quote:
It looks like a red bulb..? Is it just my eyes?
I see what you are talking about. I believe it is just the dorsal fin; it has some abrasion and redness.
Daryl B.
Quote:
What is that hanging from it’s dorsal fin?
?????
Not sure what you are talking about. I see nothing unusual hanging from that fish.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Bank fishing, boat fishing, don’t make no difference. Pick the best waters and GO FISH!
“HuskerDB” has already given you a couple of great resources, use ’em.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
Quote:
Very cool, I drew a paddlefish tag for Gavins point in October, planning to try to come down for a few days midweek when it is less crowded. I make my own scheudle so I think this will be a great option. Im hoping to perhaps get in on some fall walleye action as well, I have to hit you up closer to october. – QB
Your plan is an excellent one.
Daryl B.
Quote:
While fishing lake McConaughy last weekend, I noticed lots of ripples and flashes of silver in the water on the shoreline. Water temp was 64. After snagging one of those I noticed it was an alewife. My question is, how does this spawn affect the predator species I fish for? I caught some short walleyes, white bass, smallies and even a bluegill at this spot, but fishing was slow. I was using a nightcrawler on a slow-death hook with a small gold float and bead. Should I have been trying to catch those alewives and use those? It just seemed like I had the perfect opportunity for something big and it never materialized. Although a boat next to me said a guy caught a nine lb. walleye there in the morning.
Thanks for any replies.
Umm, if you found the alewives, you can bet every species of predator fish in Lake McConaughy knew they were there too. If the predator fish were not there feeding on them at that moment, they would be some time (hint: low light periods are PRIME TIMES).
You can mess with catching the alewives to use as bait if you want. You can catch some of them on small jigs, a dip-net would be legal right now, but cast-nets cannot be used until July 1.
However, just because those fish might be feeding on alewives, you do not necessarily HAVE to use the alewives as bait. When those predator fish show up to feed, and they will, they will crush a variety of artificial baits that imitate the alewives. As has been mentioned, spinnerbaits are an effective bait in some situations on Nebraska alewife reservoirs, and yes, that even means spinnerbaits for fish like walleyes and wipers. A variety of crankbaits also work well; jigs and swimbaits can be good alewife imitations too. Match the size, shape and yes, color, of the alewives with an artificial bait, but probably most important is the artificial bait acts like an alewife.
Hold on to your rod–they CRUSH alewife imitations.
Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
Bauer’s Barbs and Backlashes
