Family fun returns with 2024 Community Fishing Events
Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for another spring and summer of fun with Community Fishing Events.
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.
“Join us at one or several of our events to learn how to fish or to bring a friend and spend time fishing,” said Larry Pape, Game and Parks’ fisheries education specialist. “Fishing is a fun, convenient activity that can provide quality time for everyone, and we are here to help you have great outdoor experiences.”
Look for the Community Fishing Events Trailer at each site. Appropriate fishing and park permits are required. All fishing regulations apply.
The Discover Fly-Fishing program returns in 2024. Discover Fly-Fishing events, which are in conjunction with Community Fishing Events, are free and open to anyone interested in a basic introduction to fly-fishing. Learn about the equipment and how to use it, then watch a fly-tying demonstration. Loaner fly rods will be available.
Community Fishing Nights are from 6-8 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The schedule through June is:
May 28 – Lincoln, Holmes Lake; May 30 – Grand Island, Mormon Island State Recreation Area, Lake No. 1; May 30 – Omaha, Fontenelle Park Pond; June 5 – Papillion, Lake Halleck; June 11 – Omaha, Towl Park Pond; June 12 – Lincoln, Holmes Lake; June 18 – Lincoln, Bowling Lake; June 20 – Bellevue, Kramer Park Lake; June 20 – Norfolk, Skyview Lake; June 25 – Lincoln, Holmes Lake; June 27 – Omaha, Fontenelle Park Pond
The July schedule is: July 5 – Broken Bow, Melham Lake; July 9 – Papillion, Lake Halleck; July 10 – Lincoln, Bowling Lake; July 11 – Norfolk, Skyview Lake; July 17 – Papillion, Prairie Queen Lake; July 18 – Gibbon, Windmill SRA, Lake No. 2; July 23 – Bellevue, Kramer Park Lake; July 25 – Grand Island, Mormon Island SRA, Lake No. 1; July 25 – Schuyler, City Park Pond; July 30 – Papillion, Lake Halleck; July 31 – Lincoln, Holmes Lake
The August schedule is: Aug. 2 – Kearney, Fort Kearny SRA, Lake No. 6; Aug. 6 – Lincoln, Bowling Lake; Aug. 10 – North Platte, Iron Horse Lake; Aug. 13 – Lincoln, Holmes Lake; Aug. 14 – Omaha, Fontenelle Park Pond
The schedule of Discover Fly-Fishing events, which run from 6-8 p.m., is: May 28 – Lincoln, Holmes Lake; May 30 – Omaha, Fontenelle Park Pond; June 20 – Bellevue, Kramer Park Lake; July 10 – Lincoln, Bowling Lake; July 25 – Grand Island, Mormon Island SRA, Lake No. 1
The schedule of other events is: May 18 – Statewide, Free Fishing and Park Entry Day; May 18 – Kearney, Fort Kearny SRA, Lake No. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 1 – Kearney, Yanney Lake, Heritage Day, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 29 – Lincoln, Branched Oak Lake, White Perch Tournament, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; July 23 – Bellevue, Kramer Park Lake, Discover Bow Fishing, 6-8 p.m.; July 27 – North Platte, Lake Maloney (east boat ramp), Carp-O-Rama, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; Oct. 19 – Omaha, Fontenelle Park Pond, Fontenelle Family Fishing Frenzie, 10 a.m.-noon
Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information on Community Fishing Events or to purchase fishing or park permits.
Applications for outdoor recreation grants begin May 6
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications from municipalities and other organizations interested in applying for 2024 Land and Water Conservation Fund or Recreational Trails Program grants through 11:59 p.m. Central time Sept. 6.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is for outdoor recreation acquisition and development. Projects such as swimming pools, picnicking facilities, sports fields, playgrounds, splash pads, wildlife viewing facilities, fishing access, adventure spots (such as ziplines and rock-climbing) and park-related support facilities are eligible.
The Recreational Trails Program is for motorized or non-motorized trails, covering acquisition, development, maintenance, and trail-related support facilities.
The programs help communities reach their outdoor recreation goals by providing reimbursable grants with a 50-80% match component. Eligible applicants include villages, cities, public power districts, Natural Resource Districts, and Tribal entities.
For more information on the grant programs and to apply for the grants, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search for RTP or LWCF.
