Outdoor Report

Outdoor Report

Red Willow State Recreation Area

June 8, 2009

Attention Campers:

Willow View Campground has electrical sites available on a first come, first serve basis. All facilities are currently open and operational.

Boat Ramps:

There are currently four concrete boat ramps in use at Red Willow SRA. Two at the Spring Creek Area-near the Marina, one at the west end of Willow View Campground, and one at the Red Willow Area-on the south side of the dam. Each ramp has the convenience of a boat dock.

Hunting & Fishing Report


Hugh Butler Lake - The surface water temperature is 640F, with inflows of approximately 4-15 cfs. Fishing has been consistent so far this summer. Walleye success has been fair, with a few anglers reporting some success jigging minnows along flooded brush and timber. Crappie and white bass fishing has been good to date. Most of the crappie are being caught in the flooded structure and the white bass have been biting just about everywhere. There has been some good fishing success on catfish at the west end of the Red Willow arm. Fisherman are also taking good numbers of catfish and wipers from the bank at Pike's Point and Prairie Dog Point.

Red Willow SRA -- Spring Turkey Season has concluded with a very successful year reported around the area. Hunters are reminded that remaining Antelope and Deer permits will go on sale today, June 8, 2009. Permits can be acquired online at www.outdoornebraska.org

Hugh Butler Lake Elevations

Courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Lake elevation as of Sunday, June 7th was 2576.91 ft. above sea level, compared to 2576.65 ft. a year ago. The lake reached its 2008 low elevation of 2573.91 on December 1st and is now 3.0 ft. above the 2008 low elevation. The Lake is currently 4.89 feet below or 79.4% of its active pool capacity at 2581.8 ft.

Park Notes

Special Events

June 12th and 13th -- 4th Annual Blues Festival, Lighthouse Marina

Enjoy good food, free entertainment and great view of the lake from the deck at Lighthouse Marina this Friday and Saturday. The 4th Annual Blues Festival will run from 6 p.m. til 10 p.m. Friday evening featuring McCooks own CRB Band. CRB will start the festivities again on Saturday at 3 p.m., opening for the popular blues artist Eric Jerardi.

June 13 and 14 - 39th Annual Larry Samway Memorial Fishing Derby and Casting Contest

Red Willow SRA along with the McCook Optimist Club will be hosting the 39th Annual Larry Samway Memorial Fishing Derby and Casting Contest this Saturday and Sunday. Registration for all ages will begin Friday evening, June 12th and continue though the weekend. This will be 2 days of Fun, Food, and lots of Fishing!

Area Websites

Don't forget to take advantage of the tremendous amount of information available on the Game & Parks Web Page: HYPERLINK http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us www.ngpc.state.ne.us or HYPERLINK "http://www.outdoornebraska.org" www.outdoornebraska.org . For any additional information feel free to contact us at:

Red Willow SRA

72718 Trail 2

McCook, NE 69001

Office: (308) 345-5899

Email: nikolaus.johanson@nebraska.gov