Saturday great day to get outdoors

The tone is usually negative when the subject of area lakes comes up, such as how water is being released to comply with the Republican River Compact and how Hugh Butler Lake had to be drained to repair Red Willow Dam.

But there are still plenty of recreational opportunities at area lakes, and it would be a shame not to make plans to take advantage of them this summer.

This weekend would be a good one to start.

Saturday is the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Free Fishing and Park Entry Day.

You can drive into an area lake or other state park without a park permit and go fishing without a license a $5 savings over the daily park permit and a $7.50 savings over a resident one-day fishing permit. All other fee requirements, laws and regulations are still in effect, however.

It's a good chance to find out if it would be worth it to spring for an annual park permit fee ($26 for residents) or a fishing license ($28.50 for a resident including a habitat stamp).

That's always a legitimate question for someone who's not a dedicated fisherman or camper, should I spring for daily permits for $12.50 for s single fishing trip to the lake, or $54.50 on the chance I'll take four or five trips -- or worse, try to sneak in and risk fines for buying neither permit.

The last option is certainly not a good choice.

We had hopes that LB362 would not be left to languish in the Legislature this year, charging everyone $7 when they register their vehicles and doing away with the annual park permit fee. That way, anyone who has a car could legally drive it into a Nebraska park.

Opponents such as Sen. Ernie Chambers argued that it was unfair to charge people who have no intention of using a state park for the right to do so. On the other hand, $7 is a small amount to add to the price of operating a car, compared to fuel, oil, upkeep and insurance.