Another Beaver Gone

Expensive tree owners can breath a little easier again. Another beaver was killed last night or early this morning crossing Cove Road going from the farm pond to Copper Penny Lake. It was a mature one probably close to fifty pounds.

Green Sunfish and White Perch

There has been a little confusion lately about the two types of fish that need to be removed from the lakes. The first fish is a Green Sunfish sometimes called a Warmouth. It looks like a bluegill but has a little more color and a bigger mouth. They generally weigh less than a half pound and are good to eat. They usually stay close to shore and like worms. They are also in both of the lakes. These fish have a tendency to overpopulate and they basically have the same diet as bluegills and crappies which we are trying to protect in the big lake at this point. The next two pictures are of a White Perch. This is the species that should never be released back into the lake. They can grow up to twelve inches in length and weigh about one pound. I haven't heard of any being caught in the small lake yet but there are plenty in the big lake. They are also good to eat and seem to prefer worms like the Green Sunfish. They are also spawning right now so it is extremely important to remove them from the lake. Eat them, give them away, use them as fertilizer for a garden, throw them in the garbage.......whatever it takes to get rid of them. These fish compete with the other desirable fish in the lake for food and also eat the eggs of the other species of fish. They can overpopulate and destroy a lake very quickly. If you know other residents who like to fish but might not view this blog or website, please pass this information and a copy of the pictures onto them. Thanks.

Early Fishing Season for 2012

With the warm temperatures we have been experiencing the last couple of weeks, the lakes are warming up quicker than usual.  And with warm weather, the fisherman are going to come out of hibernation and hit the waters.  Please remember this year to follow all the Nebraska fishing regulations.  Especially:
Total number of crappies per day is 15.  Total number of bass is 4 per day and they must be at least 15 inches and only one may be 21 inches or longer.  By following these rules, we will help ensure better fishing for everybody at Copper Dollar Cove.  Don't hesitate to report anybody that you think might be in violation of these rules.   

Also please remember that we have been working hard trying to restock the big lake with crappie and bluegill.  If you feel the need to keep panfish to eat, please consider taking them from the small lake.  If you have to take them from the big lake, please wait until later in the year and at least give them a chance to spawn.  Thanks. 

One Less Beaver

I'm happy to report that as of today, there is one less beaver in the Copper Dollar Cove area. An adult beaver which appeared to be somewhere in the forty pound range was trapped last night.  After a day or two, the trap will be reset in hopes of getting another one.  There has been a lot more damage in the pond area since the update from last month.  Please remember to be careful when driving by the washout on Cove Rd.  The snowplows have knocked down and covered up the warning barriers. 

More Beaver Problems for 2012

Last year for a period of time, we had an active beaver that was doing damage around the lakes. After awhile the problems and the beaver seemed to disappear and there was no evidence that it was still in the area. Well, I'm afraid to say that he's either back or a new one has moved in. I believe he may be living in or around the pond again on Cove Road just south of Copper Penny Lake. I'm including a few pictures I took with my phone today that show just how fresh all of the damage is. Once again, if you have any expensive or ornamental trees that you don't want to lose, you might want to wrap them or fence them in. These picture are only a small part of the damage that I saw today. Please tell your friends and neighbors. Thanks.

White Perch Update

How many white perch are in Copper Dollar Lake?  Answer: "Lots".  The other day a resident caught 29 during a two hour outing on the lake.  During the week, he and his fishing partners have caught over 125 white perch all in the 10 to 11 inch class.  Once again, the Nebraska Fish & Game Division recommends that we do not harvest any bass, bluegills or crappies from Copper Dollar.  They are the fish that are hopefully keeping the baby white perch in check.  Please spread the word.  Thanks.

Size & Possession Limits

As far as I know, Copper Dollar Cove has always used the fishing rules and regulations set by the State of Nebraska.  Since the question of size and possession limits comes up fairly often, I thought I'd put some information in this blog.  These limits apply to both lakes.  Bass must be 15 inches long and only a total of four per licensed angler may be kept each day.  Channel catfish have a limit of five each day.  Crappies must be 10 inches in length and are considered to be panfish as are bluegills, green sunfish, white perch, etc.  A total of 15 panfish can be kept each day.  Therefore, these different species can be mixed but only a total of 15 can be taken from the lake each day per angler.  Another rule that should not be ignored is releasing baitfish into the lakes.  If you fish with minnows and do not use them all, please do not release them into the lake.  Once again, Copper Dollar Cove lakes are really more like big ponds and can easily be fished out if not fished responsibly.  The Nebraska Game & Parks recommends we practice catch and release on the big lake to help control the population of the white perch.  The F&W Committee recommends catch and release of all large bass on either lake.