Gilly

I'm not that familiar with MDC personnel (new to the Stockton area) but all of the years that I was a scoutmaster, the many years I've spent developing a habitat in Nebraska, our interaction with Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, the one thing that has struck me about the biologists and other personnel of the various state entities has been the dedication they have to what they do. Hopefully it is the same down here with MDC but the folks I've dealt with over the years have been super. I'm far from being as knowledgeable as some of you folks on here so it's a real pleasure to read these topics and coupled with the assumption that the MDC are good people I'd have to say that Stockton is in good hands.

Been a heck of a winter, hasn't it? We live in Papillion NE (just south of Omaha), but we fish out of Stockton. Some of my crews haven't had a 40 hour paycheck since late December. Brutal. It's sunny here today, looking forward to getting back on the water.

Morning, Cap! Does OAF have any decals available?

I bought one years ago my buddies called the "Hilton". About the only thing it didn't have was a basement!. Two rooms, steel poles, definitley wasn't a backpacker. You didn't say what your type of camping is. Packing at all or straight out of the back of the pickup/trunk?

Family and friends......that's what it's all about. Have a good and safe summer all!

[We have also determined that the fish like Johnny Cash better than Willie. That is also when the bite picked we switched Cd's Michael Excellent. Therefore we assume the fish have good taste and will taste better!!

Straw hat, you mention 'new agents'. Bring me up to date on that if you would please. Totally new to Stockton so any history or news would be welcome. Thanks man.

That's the type I'm talking about, straw hat. In some cases it's pure ignorance, other's poaching. Regardless, the law requires us to be knowledgeable. No offense taken.

Being I'm new to the board I'm going to kick the horse. Most of what we do as sportsmen we do because of our love of life. We fish, we hunt, we support groups and hang with friends and acquaintances of like mindedness. I use to hunt the crap out of ducks and geese. Can't stand to eat the critters so all I do now is call those babies in and enjoy the success. If I have someone with me who feels differently and wants to shoot 'em, more power to them. Same with fishing. If I'm on the water the day is fine. If we're into some good eaters (Walleye, crappie) by God they're in the boat. But filling the livewells is not my goal. Speaking directly to catch and release, imo, that is a collective mindset. If the users of a particular body of water know that water needs help then it is up to us/them to do our best effort to convey it to everyone. And yeah, you'll have some turds who say screw you but most likely they're not on anyone's list of friends who is a sportsman.

Thanks! I've noticed there are some that aren't marked on the maps so we've been marking them as we go. We'll be hauling the boat down in April and probably launch from the north until we figure out what the lake is like. We launched/stayed out at Stockton state park last summer until we got the house picked and bought. Really like the area. You guys have done a great job preserving the lake area.

We're new to the Stockton area. Just bought a home in Stockton last fall. We live in Papillion NE (Just south of Omaha) and try to come down every couple of weekends. The trips we've made this winter have been spent exploring the area. So far we've been working our way counter clock wise from the dam. We've been to 3 marinas so far, Orleans, State Park, Mutton. State Park is pretty nice and this past weekend we visited Mutton Creek. That is a very nice Marina although a long ways from our house on the north end of town. I've heard you guys talk about some of the ramps around the lake but the only ones I'm familiar with by name are those on the map. Any other ones not marked on the map? I found one on 215 as we left the State Park marina, headed north and there was a little sign indicating a ramp. Drove down to the ramp and it seemed like a decent ramp, broken pavement most of the way down. Kind of remote so we weren't too sure about security. What are your thoughts on marinas, slips, or do you trailer all of the time? What's in store for us as we continue our explorations on the east side of the lake? From the maps I've seen it definitely doesn't appear to be as accessible. Looking forward to many good years at Stockton. Hopefully years from now the grandkids will be taking their turn at the helm and saying...."Remember the time we........?"

A little luck never hurts! Had water blowin' out a cylinder (V-8) a few years back and it ended up being a cracked head. Back to the fishing!

If you're going to travel to Pomme, try Stockton sometime.

At five feet??? Yikes!

Eric I have to agree with you. Patriotism includes consumerism. My wife drives a Subaru.....made in Indiana. But we caught a world of crap when we first bought it because it has a Japanese company name. It is so hard nowdays to buy just about anything we wear, tools we use, our fishing gear, electronics, that are made in America. Hell, even my beloved Vise Grips moved out of Nebraska last year and is now made elsewhere. I endeavor on a daily basis to buy American. There are American companys that make rods and reels and I am getting better at buying those products. It's just so easy to walk into Bass Pro or Cabelas and buy what I can see/feel. Better awareness and distribution by these companies is sorely needed.

Man, that's a nice fish! Headed to Stockton this weekend to work on the house (we live in Papillion, Ne. Just south of Omaha). That fish makes me want to bring the boat too but I promised the wife we'd work on the house the whole weekend. What the heck was I thinking of? Yeah, that's a nice fish... big fish....fishing....fishing rods....tackle......hmmm, maybe I could sneek in some shore fishing.

Probably the right call on the gasket. At least it's the cheapest fix.

Thanks! Never having been involved with brush pile placement in the warmer climates I can only speak to what we've done when I was in Scouting (scoutmaster) up north. For the most part we would link big piles of Christmas trees together, haul them out on the ice and let them sink when the ice went out. I remember one time we drug some big limbs out and did the same. Not having the (dis)advantage of ice how do they do it down here? Have you guys been able to see what they've done on Stockton? Are these piles made up about the same way? Should provide some good fishing in a couple of seasons I would imagine.

My mom just sold her place in Grand Lake a couple of years ago. We actually caught trout shore fishing on the lake right downtown. My step-dad use to take the grandkids to some trout ponds (private) right there along side the highway by downtown Grand Lake. I heard they sold the place and built some fancy apartments or cabins but the ponds should be there still I would think. Note: if you're in town on a Sunday get reservations for breakfast on Sunday at the Lodge....mmmmmm good.

Whether Bass Pro or Cabela's or whoever I usually go with my gut feeling on lures. Sometimes the grandkids end up with stuffed tackle boxes because grandpa wasn't hitting like he hoped (that's as good of a reason as any!). For other items, optics, trolling motors, chargers, etc. it never hurts to read the reviews usually attached to the item (on-line). We've had very good luck using store brands and felt once we did the research we had made the right choice.

Just bought a Razr at the Omaha Sports show last weekend. Never heard of them prior. Seemed like a sensitive rod. I prefer lighter gear unless we get into hogs. Anyone fished with a Razor before?

I grew up fishing out of Lunds. Perfect boat no matter what you're tossing line for, imo. My wife and I just got back into fishing from a boat (11 year hiatus)and ended up with an AlumaCraft. Wasn't many Walleye type boats on Stockton late last summer so we probably stuck out like a sore thumb. But I like the tall sidewalls with grandkids on board. Trailers like a dream. Long pull from Omaha.

Nice to know. We just bought a home in Stockton (part time usage for now, we live in Omaha) and we're planning a week long stay in April. I thought it would be good to use a guide service a couple of times to get the feel of the lake.

Had a good chuckle regards Norm M's topic. Good evening all! I live in Papillion Ne, just south of Omaha. We recently bought a place in Stockton, Mo. to which we plan on getting to as often as we can, hopefully retiring there someday. We use to fish a lot but got busy with life and youthful passions took second place. Had heart troubles in '08 and the doctor said sloooow the heck down. Spent some time touring Missouri last summer and choose Stockton, hopefully it turns out to be a decent fishing hole but sounds like there's a lot down here within a short distance, regardless. Dang realtor said you guys had mild winters, bought that hook line and sinker!