Urban and Community Fisheries Programs: Development, Management, and Evaluation

Nebraska’s Urban Fisheries Program

Richard T. Eades, Donald W. Gabelhouse, Jr., and Larry D. Pape

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874042.ch19

Abstract.—Nebraska’s Urban Fisheries Program began in April 1999 with the goals of improving recreational fishing in urban areas and providing more opportunities for urban residents to go fishing. The first priority of the Program was to restore community park lakes that no longer supported quality fish populations due to degraded habitat. The Community Lakes Enhancement and Restoration (CLEAR) program was the primary tool for accomplishing those improvements. CLEAR assisted 26 communities to rehabilitate or enhance their park lakes between 2001 and 2007 with almost U.S.$5,000,000 in state and federal funding provided. The Urban Fisheries Program increased management efforts on many community lakes through new stocking programs and more restrictive fishing regulations. Other activities included angler access improvements, fishing clinics, and the production of educational materials. Fish population sampling and angler surveys showed improved sport fishing opportunities and increased angler use compared to previous years. Average electrofishing catch rates for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (159 fish/h) and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus (247 fish/h) in restored community lakes were higher than catch rates at other small (<12 ha) Nebraska lakes. Future program efforts should focus on outreach efforts to increase public awareness of the improved angling opportunities now found in many communities.