The Post Podcast

Lake Mac Report, May 9 2025

The May 9, 2025 Lake Mac Report sponsored by Spahns Marine & Buzz's Marine

 

OGALLALA, Neb. (May 9, 2025) — As spring continues to unfold across western Nebraska, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are flocking to Lake McConaughy—Nebraska’s largest reservoir—for prime fishing, camping, and early-season recreation. 

Post-spawn activity has shifted walleye into deeper water, but according to recent reports, anglers are still having success. Smallmouth bass activity has been particularly strong, with excellent results recorded at two recent fishing tournaments. 

Water conditions remain favorable heading into mid-May. The current water level at Lake McConaughy sits at 3,239.2 feet elevation, equating to 1,069,200 acre-feet, or roughly 61.3% of the reservoir’s total capacity. 

Shower houses are now in service at several major recreation areas, including Cedar View, Arthur Bay, and Lake Ogallala. Additional facilities at Lone Eagle, Little Thunder, and Martin Bay are expected to open soon, pending water quality test results. 

All fish cleaning stations around the lake are open for use, and docks have been installed at multiple ramps including Diver’s Bay, Martin Bay (low water), Lemoyne, Cedar View, and both north and south ramps at Lake Ogallala. 

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds campers that reservation season begins May 20, and advance reservations are required for overnight stays at Lake McConaughy throughout the summer. Reservations can be made online at OutdoorNebraska.gov. 

A temporary campfire ban remains in effect for Nebraska state recreation areas in central and western parts of the state—including Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala—through May 10 due to fire safety concerns. 

The most recent water temperature reading at the dam was 50 degrees Fahrenheit, signaling that peak fishing conditions are just around the corner. 

Several upcoming events are scheduled around the reservoir: 

• May 17 – Free Fishing and Park Entry Day across Nebraska 

• May 31–June 1 – Shut Up & Fish Tournament hosted by Vogl’s Lodge & Lure at Lake McConaughy 

• June 14 – Junior Fishing Tournament organized by Youth Outdoors Nebraska 

Lake McConaughy, located just north of Ogallala, continues to be a top destination for outdoor recreation in the Midwest. For updates on lake conditions, camping, and events, visit VisitKeithCounty.com. 

Information provided by Visit Keith County and the Keith County Visitors Committee. 

North Platte Giving Day - Val & Holly with Communities For Kids

Derek Beck spoke with Val & Holly last week from Communities For Kids (Lincoln County) about their organizations upcoming needs, and how you can help with those during North Platte Giving Day. Aired on Eagle Radio on April 29. Give at www.northplattegiving.org and get more info on Communities For Kids Lincoln County here https://www.facebook.com/C4KLC

North Platte Giving Day - Lincoln County 4H looking to buy Agriculture Kits for educators

Derek Beck spoke with UNL Extension Educator Caitlyn Jacobson and 4H'r Makynzi Smith about Agriculture Education Kits that the Extension would like to purchase to share with educators from Lincoln County. Specifically, they're trying to raise money during North Platte Giving Day, donate at www.northplattegiving.org

Tourism in the Spotlight: Conversation during National Tourism Week with Visit North Platte's Lisa Burke

Derek Beck spoke with Visit North Platte's Lisa Burke about National Tourism Week and there Excellence in Tourism Awards that will be held on Wednesday, May 7 in North Platte. 

 

STORY: 

North Platte, NE — As National Tourism Week kicks off across the country, North Platte is taking the opportunity to shine a light on the people and businesses that make the local tourism industry thrive. Visit North Platte, the city’s tourism bureau, will host its annual Excellence in Tourism Luncheon on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Venue 304, celebrating outstanding service and the vital economic role tourism plays in Lincoln County.

Lisa Burke, Executive Director of Visit North Platte, spoke with The POST this week about the importance of tourism and the recent findings of a comprehensive economic impact study. The results, which reflect tourism activity in 2023, underscore the industry’s massive contribution to the local economy.

According to Burke, tourism generated $121 million in Lincoln County last year alone. “Every other year we have a group that does a study for us—an economic impact study—and the last one was for the year of 2023,” she said. “They told us that $121 million is generated in Lincoln County due to tourism spending. It's also tied to 1,530 jobs, and those jobs bring in an income of $34 million. So tourism has a big impact on Lincoln County and everything that we do.”

But that’s not all. The study revealed that tourism contributes $10 million in tax revenue, reducing the tax burden for local residents. “I know nobody likes to talk about taxes,” Burke said with a smile. “But if there was no tourism in Lincoln County, the average household would have to pay an extra $735 a year to counteract the taxes generated from local tourism.”

In 2023, nearly 600,000 visitors explored North Platte and surrounding areas. The average traveling party consisted of 2.3 people, stayed two nights, and spent an average of $381 per day—a testament to the strength of the region’s hospitality, attractions, and small businesses.

To recognize the people behind those experiences, Visit North Platte will present five ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ awards at Wednesday’s luncheon. The categories include:

• Excellent Service within a Hotel

• Excellent Service within a Restaurant

• Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment

• Excellent Service at an Event

• Excellent Service within an Attraction

In addition, special honors will be given for Volunteer of the Year and the Hero of Tourism, acknowledging those who go above and beyond to make North Platte a welcoming and memorable destination.

“This is our chance to say thank you to the people who work hard every day to create positive experiences for visitors,” Burke said. “Tourism isn’t just about dollars—it’s about community pride, hospitality, and the stories we share with the world.”

The Excellence in Tourism Luncheon is open to the public, and Visit North Platte encourages locals to attend and show support for the individuals and organizations driving the region’s tourism success.

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Ogallala Tree Board Offers Tree Planting Reimbursement to Help Double City’s Canopy (Conversation with Drew Krab)

Derek Beck spoke with Ogallala Tree Board member Drew Krab about the reimbursment program Ogallala is offering for those that plant new trees..

 

Ogallala, NE — In an effort to restore and expand the city’s urban forest, the Ogallala Tree Board has launched a community-wide tree planting reimbursement program, with a long-term goal of doubling Ogallala’s tree canopy over the next decade.

“The Ogallala Tree Board has a goal that over the next 10 years we want to double the canopy in Ogallala,” said Drew Krab, a member of the board. “Historically Ogallala has had a great community forest, and we're trying to build that back.”

The reimbursement program is open to all Ogallala residents and aims to encourage the planting of large, healthy trees across neighborhoods and commercial corridors alike. Krab emphasized that the program is designed to be inclusive and equitable. “We open it up to everyone,” he said. “All of our neighborhoods could stand to have more trees.”

The board has about $5,000 in available funds for the program this year and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The reimbursement is for the lesser of the cost of the tree or $150. To qualify, residents must plant a tree with a minimum trunk caliper of half an inch—roughly six feet tall or more. The application process involves submitting a simple flyer-style form along with a receipt. The tree board then verifies that the tree has been planted before submitting the reimbursement request to the city.

Applications are available at the city offices and at Adams Bank & Trust, where Krab works. “The application is really a flyer,” he explained. “On one side it talks about the program and why we want to do it, and the backside is the actual application with just a few requirements.”

Beyond encouraging new growth, the board is also contending with aging trees—many over 100 years old—that have reached the end of their life cycle and pose safety concerns. “We’ve been trying to find as much money as we can to help with tree removal,” Krab noted. “Unfortunately, these older trees become a danger to the public.”

To date, the Tree Board has focused planting efforts along Ogallala’s main thoroughfares, such as Highway 30 and the city’s one-way streets. “When you see trees there, there’s a decent chance that the Tree Board facilitated that,” Krab said.

The program also receives funding through local donations and initiatives like the Big Give, and Krab said community support is vital to keeping it going.

“If people have questions, they can always give me a call,” Krab added. “I’m happy to share my cell phone number—308-289-0541. Whether it's questions about the program or about trees in general, I’m happy to help. We're very dedicated to this program.”

North Platte Gears Up for Annual Giving Day on May 7 Over $100,000 in matching funds and dozens of cash prizes available for local nonprofits

Derek Beck spoke with Eric Seacrest, Executive Director of Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation about North Platte Giving Day, which is this Wednesday, May 7. (Podcast Sponsored by NP Kubuta)

 

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — North Platte Giving Day returns this Wednesday, May 7, offering residents an opportunity to support dozens of nonprofits across Lincoln County — with the added incentive of matching funds and cash prizes. Early giving is already underway at www.northplattegiving.org.

Organized by the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, the annual fundraising event is now in its tenth year and has raised several million dollars for local causes since its inception.

“We have organizations from Brady to Sutherland, all over Lincoln County that participate in North Platte Giving Day,” said Eric Seacrest, Executive Director of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, which hosts the event.

Seacrest emphasized that Giving Day is one of the most effective ways for people to support causes they care about, especially with the additional incentives built into the event. “We have lots of cash prizes that are gonna be awarded to local nonprofits based on people giving,” he said. “Some are random selections and in some cases, prizes go to the organization that got the most gifts — not dollars, but number of donations.”

According to Seacrest, 55 different cash prizes, ranging from $200 to $1,000, are being awarded this year. While a few have already been distributed during early giving, the majority remain up for grabs on Giving Day itself.

Another major feature of the event is over $100,000 in pledged matching funds, which will be applied to qualifying donations made to participating organizations. “Matching funds are great! A one-to-one match — some nonprofits have quite a bit pledged, some don’t have any,” Seacrest explained.

The initiative aligns closely with the mission of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, which Seacrest said is “to help people do what they wanna do.” He added, “Hopefully people love their community and want to help somebody fund different projects.”

Gifts made during North Platte Giving Day are tax-deductible through the Community Foundation, a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations can be made easily online or by dropping off checks at several locations around town, including Orr’s Cleaners, the Catholic School Endowment, Prairie Arts Center, U-Save Pharmacy, and the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation office in downtown North Platte.

Whether large or small, every donation can make a meaningful impact, especially for the area’s smaller organizations. “Many of these organizations are so small and this is helpful,” Seacrest noted.

To learn more or make a donation, visit www.northplattegiving.org.

Lake Mac Report for May 2, 2025

LAKE McCONAUGHY, Neb. — Dust off those rods, untangle the tackle box, and stock up on leeches — fishing season is about to fire up at Lake McConaughy.

With water temperatures holding steady at 50°F near the dam, early May marks the beginning of peak action for walleye anglers. Fish are on the move post-spawn, and seasoned locals know this is the time to strike — especially around the Sand Creek and Otter Creek points, where the walleye tend to migrate.

Whether you're trolling sinkers, spinning rigs, or keeping it classic with a hook and crawler in 15 to 25 feet of water, chances are you'll find success. Just don’t forget your snacks — and maybe a lawn chair for those slower moments.

Currently, the lake is sitting at 61.6% capacity (3,239.4 feet, or roughly 1,073,600 acre-feet of water). Docks open for action include Divers Bay, Martin Bay low water, Lemoyne, Cedar View, and both north and south ramps at Lake Ogallala.

Planning to make a weekend of it? A friendly reminder: starting May 20 through Sept. 10, camping at both Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala State Recreation Areas requires an advance reservation. You can book beach spots 30 days out and campgrounds up to 180 days in advance. Until then, camping remains first-come, first-served. CLICK HERE TO MAKE RESERVATION

Thanks to the Keith County Visitors Center for keeping anglers in the loop — and if you're looking for updates or some fishy inspiration, check them out on Facebook (search Lake McConaughy).

So grab your gear and make your getaway — the fish are waiting, and so is the lake.

Ogallala to Unveil First-Ever Western Trails Sculpture Walk with Festive Kick-Off May 5

Derek Beck spoke with Molly Jeffres about the "Western Trails Sculpture Walk" kickoff event planned for this Monday, May 5.

Mid Plains Community College Ogallala (Meet new administrator Jenni Soper, and chat with outgoing administrator Mary Pierce)

Derek Beck spoke with  new Mid Plains Community College-Ogallala Campus Administrator Jenni Soper, and chated with outgoing administrator Mary Pierce ahead of commencement on May 9.

RDAP gearing up for cuts in federal funding and looking forward to North Platte Giving Day

Derek Beck spoke with Jennifer and Taylor with Rape & Domestic Abuse Program in North Platte on April 30. The ladies spoke about funding cuts they're organization is facing and that they're looking forward to North Platte Giving Day on May 7. You can donate now (early) at www.northplattegiving.org