Camping, fishing and more available at Grove Lake

June is National Camping Month and now is the perfect time to explore the local hidden gems Grove Lake has to offer.

Information from the "Royal Centenniel" highlights the complete story of Grove Lake, written by Jack Strain and Eugene Baker.

Grove Lake construction began late in the summer of 1953. Grove Lake received it’s name from Philo Grove, an area resident and former owner of part of the land included in the purchase. Construction of Grove Lake came about when the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recognized that there were not many fishing sites in eastern Nebraska. They launched a program to repair existing sites, in coordination with the federal government, to correct the situation.

Officials realized problems encountered were caused by limited permanent water supplies, due to protected watersheds. NGPC officials decided the best lake site was near the headwaters of the Verdigre Creek in Antelope County, and they continued to survey water supply, public use and soil erosion.

NGPC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service federal aid inspectors were impressed with the creek and drainage area consisting of pasture and woodland. After approval of the site, the purchase of 426 acres was completed in January 1952, at a total cost of $42,600. Seventy-five percent of the cost was reimbursable from the federal government, under the Dingell-Johnson Act, a fund that excused tax on fishing equipment and supplies that are allotted to states, based on population and size. In order to receive funds, the state is required to make the entire purchase with the price from hunting and fishing permits, which reimburses 75% of the total.

A contract was then formed for consultant engineers to conduct topographical surveys that check water flow, soil, design of the dam and spillway structures and the final plans for construction.

The construction contract was awarded in July 1953 and the low bid totaled $88,408.64, which was added to the cost of the land, surveys and construction plans. This brought the total price of Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area to $145,191.66.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission started working with the aid of the National Park Service to find ways to format the public use areas of the lake.

Construction was finally completed during the summer of 1954. Approximately 20,000 rainbow trout were placed in the lake by the commission.

Grove Lake had its official opening during a weekend in 1954, but exact dates are unknown. Fishing began at midnight on a Friday and ran through Sunday. Around 125 cars were on the lake shore by 6 a.m., and 150 people were fishing from boats on the lake. Cars from Tennessee, California and Nebraska’s neighboring states were seen by fishermen. An estimated 3,000 people were in attendance during the Grove Lake opening weekend.

Now, Grove Lake is a 50-acre lake located at 86502 Grove Lake Road, near Royal, and has been open to the public for 68 years. It has several entertaining activities to offer the small community.