3/24/2005
15,000 Rainbow Trout Stocked for Two Rivers Trout Lake Opening April 1 - Tom Keith

Venice, Neb..-- The Two Rivers State Recreation Area trout lake near Venice opens April 1 and anglers will have the chance to catch some of the 15,000 10-inch rainbows recently stocked by the Game and Parks Commission.

Steve Wilhelm, superintendent at Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal, said a total of 55,000 trout will be stocked at Two Rivers during 2005.

The trout lake is open from 7 a.m. to sunset each day. To fish there, anglers must purchase a trout tag from the Two Rivers office. The tag sells for $4 and allows the taking of four trout per day. An angler may purchase a maximum of three tags each day and are allowed up to 12 trout in possession. Anglers possessing trout on any other lake at Two Rivers SRA must have a trout tag as well. Anglers are asked to return their tag to the office at the end of their fishing day, as the information collected from each tag is critical in helping fisheries biologists determine catch rates and stocking rates.

An adult angler is allowed to have two children under the age of 16 with them, but the group bag limit is still limited to four trout per tag. Anglers are now allowed to use two fishing poles each.

Wilhelm offers some tips that may help inexperienced anglers fill their tags. "The best fishing of the year at the trout lake usually occurs during April, May and a good part of June, when fish can be taken throughout the day. In July fishing usually slows down due the hot weather and the best fishing is usually in the early morning hours. In April and May fish can usually be found at about any depth, but when it gets hot, anglers will have their best luck in water 10 to15 feet deep, where it is cooler."

As far as gear, Wilhelm recommends using light tackle. "Small spinners, corn, salmon eggs, or worms are good baits. I recommend using 4- to 6-pound-test monofilament line and medium to medium-light action rods."

Wilhelm reminds anglers catch and release fishing is not allowed at the Two Rivers trout lake, a rule that must be observed even by fly anglers, many of whom adhere strictly to the catch them and put them back philosophy.

Two Rivers trout anglers must possess a valid Nebraska fishing license and a current Aquatic Habitat Stamp. Veterans 65 years and older, residents 70 and older who have a fee-exempt permit, and individuals who have lifetime permits are exempt from the Aquatic Habitat Stamp requirement, as are anglers ages 16 and 17. All vehicles entering the area are required to have a valid Park Entry Permit.
 

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page