Canada. Missouri. South Dakota. Iowa. Steve Petersen has fished them all. But the best fishing he's ever found is in his backyard in Papillion.
Literally.
Petersen's house backs up to the lake at Prairie Queen Recreation Area, and the nearby trails in the area allow him to be at any one of several local lakes—fishing pole in hand—in 10 to 15 minutes.
The convenience of his location is matched only by his passion for the sport. Growing up, Petersen remembers fishing as a fundamental part of his life, where he and friends would gather to fish whenever they had the time. Those early experiences planted the seeds for what would become a lifelong love of angling.
"All you have to do is go in your own backyard and fish it consistently. Find your pattern and find the spot to catch your fish," Petersen said. "You don't have to go to western Nebraska or Lake McConaughy."
When he's not fishing, Petersen is a CPA, and his company, Petersen & Associates, has been in business since 1986.
Around town, you're likely to see the 66-year-old zipping down the trails of Papillion lakes with fishing gear in tow while he moves from one spot to another. While he owns a boat, he doesn't use it in town, preferring to fish from the banks at his favorite lakes and travel from spot to spot on his e-bike. After trying for a while, he'll move to another spot.
It's become his fishing routine these days, and it's working for him.
Petersen has received six Master Angler Awards from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. One of the most popular recognition programs in the country, Master Angler Awards are given for making trophy-sized catches, and Petersen has them for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish, redear sunfish and bluegill.
The variety of his catches speaks to both his skill and the remarkable diversity of available fish in Nebraska’s lakes, rivers and streams. Each award represents not just a big fish, but hours of patient observation, understanding of local water conditions and a deep respect for the natural environment.
Those big catches have all come from local lakes, and Petersen credits programs from Nebraska Game and Parks for his success.
"Game and Parks…has created, in my opinion, world-class fishing," Petersen said. "They need the support of the public to keep these things up. These guys are leaving behind a great legacy."
Petersen uses the state commission's reports to scout Walnut Creek, Big Elk Portal Prairie Queen, Shadow Lake, and Wehrspann Lake. He's found trophy-sized fish including walleye, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass across the lakes.
For anglers across the state of Nebraska, outdoornebraska.gov offers an interactive map showing all public fishing areas in the state as well as downloadable lake contour maps for each spot. Nebraska Game and Parks also identifies the top fishing spots and best family-friendly fishing holes. It details the Angler Access program, which includes Americans with Disabilities Act-approved fishing piers, trails, boat launch facilities and parking accommodations.
The accessibility of these resources represents a significant advancement in making outdoor recreation inclusive and approachable for anglers of all abilities and backgrounds.
(Of course, before you go fishing area waters, be sure to get a fishing license and review the state's fishing rules and regulations.)
Perhaps the most important things offered to local anglers are a collection of fishing reports. The annual Fishing Guide covers all rules and regulations regarding fishing in Nebraska, and fish stocking and sampling databases and reports will tell you which fish are in which waters.
"Six months out of the year, you'll have a catch of six-to-seven fish an hour. They're not all going to be Master Anglers, but you're going to catch your fair share," Petersen said. "Nebraska Game and Parks has done a wonderful job of managing these fisheries.
"They're very helpful if people have questions about where to go fish and what people are catching and what they're catching them on. They can give a lot of helpful tips."
Petersen's enthusiasm for local fishing is infectious. He sees it not just as a personal hobby, but as a way to connect people with nature, to provide recreation that is enriching for families and individuals.
Petersen's own advice for local anglers starts with equipment. Most importantly: "You don't need a boat." Petersen uses his trusty e-bike, and, with trails surrounding most lakes, you can move quickly from spot to spot on a bike and fish from the shoreline.
Beyond that, simply a fishing pole and lures will get you going.
"The lighter the equipment, the more fish they're going to catch," he said. "Other than that, maybe a can of bug spray to spray yourself down when you get in the weeds."
Once you’ve chosen your lake, Petersen offers the following tips:
Look for key areas in the lake where water flows into or out of the lake. “Those areas provide the food and types of things these fish bite,” he said.
Search for areas where fish have their spawning beds, such as along shallow areas or in coves.
Fish and cast for a while. You’ll get bites. But you don’t have to stay there. “Once the bite stops, you move on,” he said.
Keep coming back. The more you fish a lake, the more you’ll know where to go. “You’ll start finding out where you have good luck,” he said.
Anyone can enjoy the availability of excellent fishing in local areas, and Petersen especially enjoys seeing children and families fish. Parents get to spend time with their children while teaching them knots, how to tie on a jig, and how to cast.
His own love of fishing came from spending summer days on the bank of a nearby lake with his friends, a tradition he hopes will continue for future generations of Nebraska anglers.
"The biggest legacy we can leave behind is how much fun it is to be in Nebraska," he said. "They get all this vitamin D from the sunshine. They get fresh air. It can be just as fun as the other programs parents sign their kids up for."
This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
