The nation's mid-section and much of this great country is experiencing a cooler than normal spring. Don't worry, even for those of you on our border with Canada, you will soon be outdoors (I hear ice out is about 10 days behind last year). That said, spring activities are in full swing in most of the rest of the country and now is the time to get out. What should you do? After reading this list I think you'll agree it will be hard to pick one!
Float a small river or stream
.Most of us are within a few miles of a small river or stream. This gives anglers and those who simply enjoy a leisurely float in a canoe or kayak a chance to enjoy the change of seasons. For the angler spring gives access to fish moving upstream to spawn. Odds are you've already missed the northern pike and muskie spawns but many of you can still get in on the walleye and crappies as they move up. Don't fish much? Floating small streams this time of year make upper stretches of many small streams a challenge and this time of year that many such places have enough water to float. Just be careful, spring rains can raise streams to dangerous levels so take all the necessary safety precautions.
Lake Fishing
Spring is the great equalizer on most of our nation's lakes. Why? Just like in our streams, spring means spawning runs but instead of moving upstream, lake fish move to the shallows making them accessible from shore. Crappies are a favorite this time of year with small tackle and live bait being particularly effective. Looking for more adventure? Wading is a great spring-time tactic for catching ice-out catfish patrolling the shallows for winter kill fish that have blown ashore. While ice-out has hit much of the country already, walleyes also provide great wade-fishing action. Just remember if you choose to wade take all the normal safety precautions (e.g. don't go alone, wear a life jacket, avoid bad weather, etc).
Turkey Hunting
Many states in the union offer up some excellent turkey hunting and spring is synonymous with turkey hunting. This late in the spring turkey hunting can be a real challenge because many of the toms are "henned up". This means you can't expect calling to be as effective as it was early in the season and that hunting later into the day is a top option as many toms will leave hens they were tied up with in the morning to search for others. Setting up on known travel routes and calling just enough to entice a wandering bird can be particularly effective. Another good tactic is to simply spot-and-stalk. The new foliage of late spring can make sneaking up on a gobbler easier, though, it can also mean getting a shot off can be a challenge. If you do spot-and-stalk, avoid crossing saddles and ridges without first setting up and calling as peering over saddles and ridges is often the time you get busted.
Mushroom Hunting
For the die hard mushroomers spring means long walks in the woods after one of natures most delicious treats, the morel mushroom. Mushroom hunting is something the entire family can do when you do it safely by avoiding ticks and the disease they can carry as well as avoiding false identification of morels which can be deadly.
Camping
One thing that goes well with all of the above activities is camping or can stand alone by itself is camping. Spring brings warm temperatures yet you can avoid the nuisance of many bugs such as mosquitoes who haven't reach their full summertime numbers. Camping is something that can transcend age, and lends itself well to long talks with family and friends either in reflection of past outdoor pursuits or just touching on any of life's experiences.
Spring is a time of anticipation of the great summer to come. I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy the outdoors particularly with kids. Blackberry's, the upcoming election, video games and life's other distractions can't compete with the time a family or group of friends spends in the outdoors. So get out there, enjoy the outdoors and make some memories!
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