HUBBARD, Neb. (AP) - A newly opened lake in northeast Nebraska is drawing anglers and recreationalists from the area, including across the Missouri River in Iowa.
The gates on the Danish Alps State Recreation Area near Hubbard opened Wednesday, the Sioux City Journal reported (https://bit.ly/1O1vf5r ).
Located just south of Nebraska Highway 35, the park is named for the local hilly terrain that is reminiscent of the Danish homeland of the immigrants who settled in the area. The 746-acre park includes RV and tent camping, equestrian camping facilities, day use areas, a walking and hiking trail and equestrian trail.
The centerpiece is 226-acre Kramper Lake, named after Vince Kramper, a Dakota City farmer and conservationist. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, walleye and channel catfish.
Nearby Ponca State Park oversees the new recreational area.
Work continues on the park in advance of its Aug. 1 grand opening celebration. Lynn Mellick, events coordinator at Ponca State Park, said the equestrian trail is not yet completed and shower houses are not open. Not all camping areas are open yet, either.
By Wednesday, two campers had already set up in one of the campgrounds. The parking lot next to the boat ramp was filling with pickups and boat trailers, and boats dotted the lake.
On shore, Larry Simon, of Sioux City, Iowa, packed up after about 90 minutes of fishing.
“When I heard they were opening up, I thought I’d stop down, take a look and see what possibilities it had for us,” he said.
Simon said he caught and released a dozen small catfish, two larger ones and a few 10-inch bass. The lake promises to be a good fishing spot, he said.
“The accessibility is really nice. It’s clean. It’s real nice water. It seems to be well-stocked,” he said.
Work on the $17 million recreation area began in 2012 with construction of a conservation dam that backs up Jones Creek. Heavy rains last summer filled the lake nearly a year ahead of schedule.
___
Information from: Sioux City Journal, https://www.siouxcityjournal.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.