Nebraska Fishing Host Program

With the dawn of the twenty-first century, computers and electronic games are increasingly filling the time of today's youth. Traditional outdoor recreation pursuits like fishing and hunting, which most of us enjoyed with our families while growing up, have been taking a back seat. Your Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking the assistance of experienced anglers with reversing this trend. A companion effort is the Youth Fishing Program

WHAT IS A NEBRASKA FISHING HOST?

Nebraska Fishing Hosts are experienced anglers who volunteer to host free "how-to" fishing clinics in state parks and recreation areas. Like other state park volunteers, they serve without pay while they reap the satisfaction of knowing they are helping others learn skills they, themselves, have enjoyed all their lives. Hosts may be individuals or teams, such as husband and wife. Their primary responsibility will be to conduct short, ninety-minute, shore-based fishing clinics for youths and parents, teaching such basic skills as fishing ethics, fishing safety, knot tying, basic tackle items and techniques, how to find and use bait, where fish live and how to fish from the bank In addition, they will be available to answer questions, explain fishing rules, and serve as the park's primary contact for the agency's Free Tackle Loaner program at participating parks.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

Fishing Hosts are generally experienced anglers who are willing to show less experienced or novice anglers the basic skills that make fishing fun. They should possess the ability and enthusiasm to impart their knowledge to novice anglers and set a positive example by their sportsmanship and adherence to Nebraska Fishing Regulations.

The Fishing Host Program operates from May 1 through September 15. Hosts must be willing to donate a minimum of t wo consecutive weekends (Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons) and a maximum of four consecutive weekends to their selected park area. They are "on duty" only two-to four hours per day while conducting their how-to clinics for interested visitors and being available to loan out fishing tackle. Hosts may, of course, volunteer more hours, as many do.

HOST BENEFITS

Fishing Hosts receive free Friday and Saturday night camping, electrical hookups and, where available, free use of the area's shower facilities. Hosts must supply their own camping equipment. Hosts will be issued Game and Parks Commission hats and name tags that will identify them as Fishing Hosts and will be assigned to designated Fishing Host campsites. Fishing Hosts wishing to camp Sunday through Thursday nights will be required to pay posted camping fees or perform other volunteer duties as may be agreed upon with the park superintendent in return for free camping.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the on-line application form by clicking "Apply Now Online" below. Fishing Host selection will be made by the local park superintendent at each area that participates in the program. Selection is based on area needs, the applicant's qualifications, availability of dates and familiarity with Nebraska's fishing regulations. The superintendent may interview applicants as part of the selection process.

HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENTS

Before you may volunteer in any Nebraska Game and Parks Commission state park or recreation area, you must sign and return a hold-harmless agreement. To print out an agreement click here Please submit the signed agreement to your selected park's superintendent, or you may pick up and sign an agreement on site.

FISHING HOST PARTICIPATING AREAS

• Alexandria Lakes State Recreation Area
• Chadron State Park
• Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
• Fort Kearny State Recreation Area
• Fremont State Recreation Area
• Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
• Louisville State Recreation Area
• Ponca State Park
• Victoria Springs State Recreation Area
• Windmill State Recreation Area

Click the link below to become a member of our NGPC Volunteer Registry. Your application will be noted as desiring to be a part of our Fishing Host Program. Your application will e-mailed to Park Administration and then forwarded to the Park Superintendent for consideration.

CLICK HERE! to join our Volunteer Registry!

View Available Volunteer Opportunities in the Fishing Host Program!

View Additional Opportunities through our Youth Fishing Program!

Commission is actively seeking persons interested in being trained and certified as Youth Fishing Instructors across the state. Volunteers will learn how to set up and lead fishing clinics during one-day training seminars.

For information, contact the Commission's Aquatic Training Specialist at the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium at (402) 332-3901.