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.