Construction soon will begin on a project addressing angler access at one southwest Nebraska reservoir, while work on aquatic habitat at another will be delayed.

At Lake Maloney State Recreation Area south of North Platte, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will increase angler access along the lake inlet. Anglers will be able to fish closer to the water’s edge after a retaining wall and concrete path are built. Also, a wooden fishing pier will be built close to the inlet.

Starting on Sept. 9, park visitors and anglers can expect the entrance road at Kansas Point Drive as well as the park to be closed and traffic patterns affected along WN Lake Road.

Funding is being provided by the Game and Parks Aquatic Habitat Program, with the Nebraska Public Power District providing engineering design and riprap for construction.

At Medicine Creek Reservoir, north of Cambridge, approximately 40 shoals were scheduled to be built in the lake basin. These structures are made from sediment and rock as underwater fish habitat in at least 8 feet of water. 

With the high amount of rainfall this season, the reservoir was only drawn down about 6 feet so construction will be delayed until next summer. The public can expect some limited closures in areas the contractor will stockpile riprap in late fall and winter in preparation for next year.  

Funding is being provided by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Nebraska Aquatic Habitat Program.

Fishing events planned at Fort Robinson State Park

Fishing will be the focus of a weekend of events at Fort Robinson State Park this month.

The activities Sept. 28-29 include a fly-fishing and fly-tying workshop, youth fishing instructor training and a community fishing event.

“Fort Robinson has been called Nebraska’s Fishing State Park, so these events should be a great fit,” said Larry Pape, Nebraska Game and Parks’ fisheries education specialist. “Fishing is a fun, convenient activity that can provide quality time for everyone, and we expect this to be a fun weekend for all who attend.”

Appropriate fishing and park entry permits are required, and all fishing regulations apply.

Fly-fishing and Tying Seminar, Sept. 28

The Cornhusker Fly Fishers will lead a program to teach people to tie flies for fishing and use them. Attendees will gather at the Buffalo Soldiers Barracks from 9 a.m. to noon to tie flies. After casting instructions at 1 p.m., the group will move to Grable Ponds for an afternoon of fishing.

The event is limited to the first 25 registrants and a $25 fee will help cover costs. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Registration information may be found at the “calendar” link of OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Youth Fishing Instructor Certification, Sept. 29

Game and Parks will certify youth fishing instructors 9 a.m.-noon at the Buffalo Soldiers Barracks.

Instructors are part of the Youth Fishing Program, a statewide team of volunteers and Game and Parks staff who host educational fishing events to inspire the next generation of anglers.

Participants will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events. They also will receive program incentives. Instructors are encouraged to volunteer for such Game and Parks programs as Community Fishing Nights and the Outdoor Expos.

The event is free and open to the public, but participants must register at the “calendar” link of OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Community Fishing Event, Sept. 29

The public is invited to fish at Grable Ponds from 3-6 p.m. Game and Parks’ Community Fishing Events provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in years to learn and enjoy the activity. Rods and reels, as well as bait and fishing instruction, will be available for free as one of the state’s Community Fishing Events Trailers will be on-site.

The event also will highlight the improvements to Grable Ponds and other projects in the region. It is free and open to the public. No registration is required.