Paddlefish snagging permits to be accepted in July

LINCOLN – Applications for paddlefish snagging permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Gam and Parks Commission July 1-14.

Applications begin at 1 p.m. July 1. Mail applications must be received by Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m. July 14, while online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. July 14.

Two anglers may submit a joint application, but the applicants must both be residents or nonresidents. The lowest preference poin total between the two applicants will be used in the draw.

An angler must be 12 years old by Oct. 1 to apply for a snagging permit.

Permits will be awarded through a random drawing based on angler preference points.

Applicants supplying e-mail addresses will be notified when the drawing is complete. Others should monitor their status online.

Drawing results will be available by July 20. Successful applicants will have until Aug. 5 to complete the purchase of awarded permits.

Permits awarded but unpaid will result in applicants losing preference points and forfeiting the permit. Unpaid or unawarded permits remaining after the drawing will be made available to the next resident successful applicants.

In lieu of participating in the drawing, resident anglers may purchase one preference point during the application period for $10 and nonresidents may buy one for $20.

Snagging of paddlefish and nongame fish is permitted Oct. 1-31 in the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734.

For more information, including an application form, people are encouraged to read the 2022 Nebraska Fishing Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides.