As spring arrives, the calendar starts to fill up with a wide variety of activities for those who enjoy the great outdoors.
Today (March 15) marks the beginning of paddlefish snagging season in Missouri. Most of that action will take place on big reservoirs like Table Rock, Truman and Lake of the Ozarks, but Jefferson County sits on the edge of a couple of secondary locations. The Mississippi River and the lower stretches of the Meramec will both see some fisherman trying to land the unique prehistoric beast.
The season remains open longer on the Mississippi River, but closes April 30 in all other locations in the state. Also known as spoonbill, paddlefish can grow to more than 100 pounds, but their reproduction depends extensively on the efforts of the state Department of Conservation hatcheries.
Dams and channelization of the rivers they have used for centuries for spawning means that they meet real challenges to reproduce. It also means they collect en masse at those dams that stop their upstream progress. They will not bite a baited hook, but anglers can use large treble hooks to snag the fish.
Next weekend, March 23 and 24, Branson will host the 10th annual state tournament for the National Archery in Schools Program. About 2,500 students from 620 schools will compete for state supremacy and a shot at the national finals.
Jefferson County has been well represented throughout the history of the program, which combines the advantages of personal development and teamwork within its physical activity.
Also celebrating a 10th anniversary on March 24 is the Confluence Trash Bash. The annual litter removal event will be organized from eight different sites in the St. Louis region for stream assignments.
All participants will receive breakfast, a T-shirt, gloves and garbage bags to collect all the debris they can find from 9 a.m. to noon. Prizes will be awarded for participants that find the weirdest, biggest and most expensive trash items. Advanced registration is required online through the Greenway Network website at goo.gl/gL36Vb.
Rockwoods Reservation in southwest St. Louis County will host a Beginning Birders program from 10 a.m. to noon on March 24 for participants ages 8 and older to learn about bird watching and identification. The program includes a hike to look for birds at the conservation area. For reservations, call 636-458-2236.
A pond management class for property owners is planned at East Central Community College Training Center in Union. The program includes site selection, construction, fish stocking, aquatic plant management and nuisance wildlife. The program is free, but advanced registration is required by March 16 by calling 636-583-2303, ext. 3110 or emailing Lia.Heppermann@mdc.mo.gov.
A workshop for homeowners to learn about using native plants for landscaping is being offered in Maryland Heights from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 31. Space is limited, so advanced registration is required. The $20 workshop fee includes all program materials and a buffet lunch. Register online at goo.gl/VftKMz. For more information, call (314) 599-7390.
John J. Winkelman is community relations manager at Mercy Hospital Jefferson. If you have news for the Leader’s Outdoor News page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com and you can follow John on Twitter at @johnjwink99.