LINCOLN, Neb. – Carp fishing is a fun, exciting way to bag a meal. The fish are in waters all across Nebraska and anglers may catch and keep as many as they want.
Anglers and families interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing may attend Carp-O-Rama on June 27 at Pawnee State Recreation Area (SRA), according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
The free event will take place from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the east side of the lake, near the boat ramp. Pawnee SRA is located 3 miles northwest of Emerald in Lancaster County.
Carp is an excellent fish for beginning anglers to pursue because they are plentiful statewide and the required equipment is relatively simple. The strong-fighting fish also is not restricted by bag, possession limits or size limits.
How-to carp fishing seminars by Commission fisheries outreach program manager Daryl Bauer will be held throughout the day. Carp caught by anglers will be used in outdoor personality Dick Turpin’s demonstrations on cleaning, preparing and cooking the fish. The cooked fish then will be served as a free lunch. Prize drawings will be held for children age 15 and younger.
“Carp actually are one of the smartest fish that swim in our waters and can be a worthy challenge for the best of anglers,” Bauer said. “To be consistently successful, anglers need to learn some of the tricks and tips specifically for carp. That is what Carp-O-Rama is all about. It will be a chance to learn some new things, catch some fish, eat some fish, and have a good time with a bunch of other folks doing the same thing.”
Carp-O-Rama also is a chance to thin an abundant carp population at Pawnee. Anglers may then take their new-found skills to other waters and further reduce the numbers of this nongame fish that muddies water and uproots plants with its aggressive feeding activities.
“Common carp are an exotic species that were introduced to North America a long time ago,” Bauer said. “We would be better off without them and as fisheries managers we will continue to eliminate them whenever possible. But, the fact is, they are here to stay and when life gives you lemons, you might as well make lemonade.”
A park entry permit is required of all vehicles entering Pawnee SRA. A fishing license is required of anglers age 16 and older. Both permits may be purchased at the park.
The tentative Carp-O-Rama schedule:
8 a.m. – information tent opens; 8:30 a.m. – how-to fishing seminar; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – fish cleaning demonstrations; 9:30 a.m. – how-to fishing seminar; 10:30 a.m. – how-to fishing seminar; 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – fish preparation demonstrations; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – fish cooking demonstrations; 11 a.m. – prize drawings commence until all are gone; 11:30 a.m. – fish lunch served, continues until 1 p.m. or fish is gone; 12:30 p.m. – how-to fishing seminar
