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NGPC outlines aquatic habitat and angler access projects across Southwest District, highlights Lake Maloney inlet improvements
Summary
Nebraska Game and Parks staff described completed and planned access and habitat projects — including a new fishing pier and ADA walkway at Lake Maloney inlet, ramp improvements at Swanson Reservoir, rock shoals at Madison Creek, and renovations at Frenchman WMA — and said many efforts include cost‑sharing with partners.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff described multiple aquatic habitat and angler access projects in the Southwest District, including completed work at Lake Maloney’s inlet and planned improvements at Swanson Reservoir, Madison Creek, and Frenchman Wildlife Management Area.
Jared Laurensen, a fisheries biologist stationed in North Platte, said the Lake Maloney inlet project included a 12‑by‑24‑foot wooden fishing pier and about 50 yards of paved shoreline walkway that is ADA compliant. “In addition to those two things, we were able to add some fish‑attracting structures,” Laurensen said, describing rock shoals and three 40‑by‑40‑foot squares of three‑quarter‑inch rock placed as experimental spawning substrate.
The project was a joint effort with the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), which provided engineering and design, while NGPC provided funding and project oversight. Laurensen said a community fishing event to celebrate the inlet and the Kansas Pointe Campground reopening is planned for May 3.
Other projects described at the meeting:
- Swanson Reservoir: NGPC plans to reconstruct a north‑side boat ramp to achieve a 10–14% grade for improved launching and will install two boat docks. Funding will be split between NGPC’s angler access program and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
- Madison Creek Reservoir: NGPC plans roughly 42 rock shoals to increase habitat diversity; construction timing depends on water elevation and is expected late this year or in 2026.
- Hays Center WMA: A new boat ramp on the north shoreline was completed to move launch activity away from the dam and comply with dam safety protocols.
- Frenchman WMA (Palisade Pits): Following 2023 flooding and fishery renovations, all three ponds were renovated and restocked in the fall; NGPC expects to install boat ramps and at least one fishing platform in 2026.
Vegetation control efforts were also highlighted. Laurensen said NGPC used a new chemical to treat a hybrid of Eurasian and native northern watermilfoil; preliminary observations suggest it targeted the hybrid effectively but the chemical is costly. He also described shoreline tree removals (cedar and Russian olive) at Hershey and East Hershey Interstate Lakes to improve access and visibility; that work was funded through NGPC’s aquatic habitat program and an NET grant is supporting further projects.
Laurensen emphasized partnerships on projects, naming Bureau of Reclamation, NPPD and local landowners as common collaborators.
Ending: NGPC staff said news releases and reopening announcements will follow as projects conclude and encouraged anglers and local partners to provide project ideas and feedback.
