Be Aware of 2025 Fishing Regulation Changes

By Jerry KaneNebraska anglers should be aware of fishing regulation changes that take effect Jan. 1, 2025.The changes to fishing rules, approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission during meetings in 2024, are:Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) – At Frye Lake Wildlife Management Area, there will be no minimum length limit with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer allowed in the five-fish daily bag limit. At Prairie View Lake, Wagon Train State Recreation Area/WMA, Duck Creek Recreation Area and Prairie Queen Recreation Area, the five-fish bag limit has a protected slot of 15-18 inches, with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer in the daily bag. Patriot Park Lake was added to the list of water bodies that have a 21-inch minimum length limit.Pawnee SRA/WMA was removed from the list of water bodies that have a 21-inch minimum length limit.Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake (Lake No. 5) – Anglers will be allowed to practice catch and release on trout if they choose, and the start date when anglers will be allowed to fish the lake without a trout tag is June 1. Channel Catfish – The “one-over” size restriction on channel catfish from the Missouri River is removed.Walleye, Sauger and Saugeye – Branched Oak Lake reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of four, possession limit of eight and 15-inch minimum length limit, with one over 22 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag. Northern Pike – At Clear Lake, Dewey Lake, Hackberry Lake and Pelican Lake, the three-fish daily bag limit has a protected slot of 24-34 inches, with no more than one fish 34 inches or longer in the bag.Smith Lake WMA is added to the lakes that have a daily bag limit of 10 pike of which only three can be over 22 inches and only one of these can be over 34 inches. Lake Wanahoo reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of three, possession limit of 10, no minimum length limit and one fish 34 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag. Striped Bass, White Bass and Wiper – The statewide “one-over” size restriction is changed, increasing the length limit to 18 inches or longer in which the daily bag limit may include one fish, in inland waters. Bait – The no-live-baitfish restriction was removed at Lake Wanahoo. More fishing information can be found in the 2025 Fishing Guide, which will be available in January at OutdoorNebraska.gov and where 2025 fishing permits are sold.

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