Trout in the Classroom program accepts applications through August

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s Trout in the Classroom program is accepting applications through August to join the program and earn a scholarship for the 2024-25 school year.

This program is for teachers interested in raising live fish in their classrooms and utilizing the tanks for lesson plans and everyday activities. Teachers will receive all the training and expertise needed to get their program running.

Trout in the Classroom is sponsored by the Nebraska Trout Unlimited Chapter 710 and coordinated by Nebraska Game and Parks.

For requirements or more information, visit OutdoorNebraska. gov and search “Trout in the Classroom,” or contact the program’s state coordinator, Grace Gaard, at [email protected].

Paddlefish snagging permits accepted

Applications for paddlefish snagging permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from July 1-14.

The application period opens at 1 p.m., Monday, July 1. Mail applications must be received by Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by Sunday, July 15.

Two anglers may submit a joint application, but the applicants must both be residents or nonresidents. The lowest preference point total between the two applicants will be used in the draw.

An angler must be 12 years old by Oct. 1, 2024, to be eligible to apply for a snagging permit.

Permits will be awarded through a random drawing based on angler preference points.

Drawing results will be available by Saturday, July 20. Applicants supplying email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Others should monitor their status online. Successful applicants will have until Monday, Aug. 5, to complete the purchase of awarded permits.

Permits awarded but unpaid will result in the applicant losing preference points and forfeiting the permit. Unpaid or unawarded permits remaining after the draw will be made available to the next resident applicants until the permit quota is reached.

In lieu of participating in the draw, resident anglers may purchase one preference point during the application period for $10 and nonresidents for $20.

Snagging of paddlefish and nongame fish is permitted Oct. 1-31 in the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734 for anglers who have an awarded, unfilled paddlefish tag.

For more information, including an application form, read the 2024 Nebraska Fishing Guide.