Skip to main content

Paddlefish snagging permits accepted July 1-14

Applications for paddlefish snagging permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from July 1-14.

The application period opens at 1 p.m. Central time July 1. Mail applications must be received by Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m. Central on July 14, while online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Central on July 14.

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

An angler must be 12 years old by Oct. 1, 2025, to be eligible to apply for a snagging permit.

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

Drawing results will be available by July 20.  Applicants supplying email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Others should monitor their status online. Successful applicants will have until Aug. 5 to complete the purchase of awarded permits.

Permits awarded but unpaid will result in the applicant losing preference points and forfeiting the permit. Unpaid or unawarded permits remaining after the draw will be made available to the next resident applicants until the permit quota is reached.

In lieu of participating in the draw, resident anglers may purchase one preference point during the application period for $10 and nonresidents may purchase 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 anglers who have an awarded, unfilled paddlefish tag.

For more information, including an application form, read the 2025 Nebraska Fishing Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps. Watch our tutorial, “How to apply for draw permits and purchase preference points” at YouTube.com/@NebraskaGameandParksCommission.

To see a summary of the 2024 paddlefish season, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “fish sampling reports.”


About Jerry Kane

Jerry Kane is the news manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He can be contacted at jerry.kane@nebraska.gov or 402-471-5008.

Related Articles

Trout in the Classroom accepting applications

Jun 12, 2025

Trout in the Classroom accepting applications

The program is accepting applications through August to join for the 2025-2026 school year.

Read More
Try multiple fishing disciplines at Go Fishing Fest

Jun 10, 2025

Try multiple fishing disciplines at Go Fishing Fest

Learn fishing basics – and explore new ways to fish – June 28 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.

Read More
South Shore boat ramp work delayed at Lewis and Clark

Jun 6, 2025

South Shore boat ramp work delayed at Lewis and Clark

Work cannot begin until after June 30 when pallid sturgeon spawning season ends.

Read More