We need to remember.......

Nebraska fishing rules and regulations apply to the lakes at Copper Dollar Cove. What we need to remember is that the lakes here are actually more like farm ponds and fishing pressure can be devastating on small bodies of water. The legal length limit for largemouth bass in Nebraska is 15 inches. In Copper Dollar Lake, that is one of the bigger fish. Fifteen inches and bigger are the ones we really need to keep in the lake to control the white perch and are the fish that can actually grow into trophies. They are also the best spawners.

There are also some nice bluegills and crappies in Copper Dollar Lake and last year we put in 600 more of them to try and replenish the population. Nebraska rules are very generous with the limits on these panfish. If we were all to keep limits on these fish in Copper Dollar, we would soon be back to square one. If you feel the need to take some bluegill or crappie for table fare, consider Copper Penny Lake. They may be a little smaller but they are more plentiful. Once again though, we need to remember that Copper Penny is smaller and we really should only keep the amount of fish we need for our meal and not feel that it is necessary to catch a total limit all the time.

The goal of the Fish & Wildlife Committee is to create two great fishing lakes for every resident to enjoy. We need the help of everyone to accomplish this task. Thanks.

Fishing permit needed or not at CDC???

Do we need a fishing permit to fish at Copper Dollar Cove? That is a very popular question around here. It has always been kind of a gray area when reading the Nebraska fishing rules and regulations. It was pretty clear that you needed one for Copper Penny Lake but probably not for Copper Dollar Lake. It used to state that one was not needed for a totally private lake with no connection to any other body of water. In 2009, the rule has been written a little differently. It now states that the private lakes must be entirely stocked. According to the interpretation of the State of Nebraska, our lakes have types of fish such as Green Sunfish and White Perch which were never stocked so therefore the answer is "Yes" we do need to have fishing permits.

Ticks

Unfortunately, part of the wildlife that exists at Copper Dollar Cove are ticks. They like to inhabit wooded areas and fields with high grass. Those of us with dogs are pretty familiar with the wood tick. This is the time of year when the tick becomes most active. People who like to walk their dogs on the paths around the lake may want to check their dog very carefully for ticks before going back into the house even if the dog is wearing a flea and tick collar. Ticks are blood suckers and also like to attach themselves to people. To get more info on how to prevent ticks and how to remove them properly, see http://www.essortment.com/all/woodticks_rgjq.htm

White Perch - Update

I already have a post dedicated to White Perch but I went fishing this evening in Copper Dollar Lake and caught three of them. I thought I'd try to put up a picture of one so everyone would know what to look for. If you catch one of these fish in either lake, please do not return it into the water. By the way, this fish was 12 inches long and weighed a little over a pound which qualifies it for a "Master Angler Award" in Nebraska.

Kid's Fishing Derby

One of the items that was discussed at the last F&W meeting was the idea of having a kids fishing derby. We used to have these every year when I lived back in the St. Louis area and they were very popular. Also when we owned lake property back in northwestern Illinois, they organized one once a year. It was a good time for residents to get together with their kids or grand kids. Our plans are still in the very early stages but we would like to hear feedback from anyone living at Copper Dollar Cove. It would give us an idea of how many people might participate. Either give me a call, email me or tell another Committee member your thoughts and we will discuss it further at the next meeting. Right now, the most important decision to be made is "When"? We appreciate your input. Thanks.

Muskrats

Although a lot of muskrats haven't been sighted yet this season, they continue to create damage around the lake by burrowing holes and tunnels along the shorelines and the dam. I received a permit from the State of Nebraska last week for trapping muskrats on Copper Dollar Cove property. Feel free to give me a call or send me an email if you are experiencing damage on your property from these critters. A little later in the season when they become more active, the Committee will be setting a few traps on parts of the common areas. The traps will be clearly marked and set in a way to avoid any problems with domestic pets. If anyone is interested in helping with this project, please contact myself or another Committee member.