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NGPC seeks volunteers for live-imaging sonar study; highlights habitat projects and 2025 fisheries forecast
Summary
NGPC Southeast District described a live-imaging sonar (LIS) study—reporting preliminary creel data that shows higher catch rates for LIS users—and asked anglers with LIS to volunteer for a controlled experiment; staff also reviewed habitat projects (cedar tree and rock pile placements) and summarized the district's 2025 fisheries forecast.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Southeast District asked anglers who own live-imaging sonar (LIS) units to volunteer in a controlled study and summarized recent habitat projects and the district's 2025 fisheries forecast.
Biologist Jake Werner reviewed published studies of LIS in other states and preliminary NGPC creel results. "So far, preliminary results from that have showed that, yes, people with, with LIS units have been catching more fish than people without," he said, but added NGPC wants a controlled experiment that examines seasonality and production of catch-rate differences.
Werner said the experimental design would require volunteers to fish during at least four seasonal windows (late summer, fall, winter and spring spawn). Participants would be asked to fish one day using LIS and one day not using LIS in each season for a minimum eight-day commitment. He invited interested anglers to email NGPC to join an information meeting about study requirements.
Separately, biologist Jensen Lebsock reviewed habitat work and where to find project maps. He said staff and volunteers placed about 240 cedar trees on Standing Bear during winter renovation work and built several rock piles at Wildwood from preserved ramp concrete. "Each 1 of these red dots, represents a single cedar tree," he said of the project's online map, and urged anglers to consult the agency's downloadable contour and habitat maps.
Jensen and other staff also summarized the Southeast District's 2025 fisheries forecast: walleye and saugeye samples were strong at Cunningham and Walnut Creek; largemouth bass populations were noted at Flanagan, Checklin and Burchard; crappie looked good at Flanagan and Olive Creek (subject to low water); and yellow perch and smallmouth bass remained notable in Metro-area lakes such as Big Elk and Portal where accessible.
The district said maps, stocking reports and the presentation slides and recordings will be posted on NGPC's website and on YouTube; participants will receive follow-up emails with links.
