Go Wild During Spring Break….at the Aquarium

Starved for plans for the upcoming spring break? The Aquarium at Fort Fisher is here to help, offering a variety of activities and programs for all ages to enjoy.

What’s Easter without an egg hunt? At the Aquarium’s Alligator Egg Hunt kids meet a live baby alligator. They create their own special alligator egg basket and then go search for candy filled “alligator eggs.” The Alligator Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 27, Friday April 2, and Saturday April 3 at 10:00 and 1:00. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY MARCH 24, 2010 FOR MARCH 27, 2010 PROGRAMS. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY MARCH 31, 2010 FOR APRIL 2 AND 3, 2010 PROGRAMS and can be made by calling 910-458-7468.

Take a guided tour through the depths of the Aquarium or become an aquarist for the day? The Aquarium offers behind the scenes tours on Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 1 at 11:30 AM, and Sunday, April 4 and 11 at 2:00 PM. Accompany Aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation, and access areas with this unique opportunity. The Aquarist Apprentice program, which includes a behind the scenes tour, gives participants the chance to learn about the Aquarium’s animals and their diets, and assist staff in the preparation of food and feeding of some of the animals. Participants will also observe the Aquarists accomplish some of their daily care and maintenance tasks. This program will be offered on Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 PM.

With the arrival of warmer temperatures, outdoor activities are an excellent option for a fun-filled day. The Aquarium offers several programs that will help you get back to nature. Salt marsh explorations will be held March 28 at 3:30 PM and Sunday, April 4 at 3:30 PM. The program involves hiking the salt marsh trail and viewing first-hand the activities of marsh-dwelling animals and the variety of plants found in this rich environment. Popular surf fishing workshops will return starting Saturday, April 10 at 9:00 AM. The program involves a 3-hour workshop, which includes one hour of classroom discussion, then surf fishing on the beach nearby.

Aquarium Collects Old Fishing Equipment

That old rod and reel in your attic or garage may be worth more than you think. It could put a big smile on a needy youngster’s face. Rick Wilkinson, a surf-fishing instructor at the aquarium, spends his spare time rebuilding donated fishing gear as a volunteer. He then hands over the good-as-new rigs to area youth and adult groups.

The refurbished equipment goes to groups like Big Buddy, Community Boys and Girls Club, the Brigade Boys and Girls Club, and St. Mary’s Social Ministry. “I really like bringing old fishing gear back to life,” Rick says. “And if a fishing rod I reworked can make someone’s life a little happier, then that’s just great.”

How to Donate

Anyone wanting to donate a used rod and reel can drop the gear off at the Aquarium Visitors Service Desk between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day. Even an old tackle box is welcome, especially if it has some lures and tackle inside. Please ensure that the rod and reel is in somewhat workable order and has no missing parts.

Fishing in the fall at Fort Fisher

Want to learn to surf fish but hate the heat? With fall’s arrival, bringing with it cooler temperatures, the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher continues their popular surf fishing workshops. This three-hour workshop includes one hour of classroom discussion, then fishing on the beach nearby. In the classroom, participants learn about common fishing equipment, baits, and fish identification. Then the fishing begins. Participants practice the catch and release method as they search the waters for fish and then learn how to use a cast net to catch their own bait fish.

Fall fishing sessions bring an array of fish that are commonly found in the area. According to surf fishing instructor Rick Wilkinson, “Fall is the best season for fishing because the larger fish come in closer to the shore.” One popular fish is the red drum, which is North Carolina’s state fish. Other frequently caught fish are whiting, black drum, flounder, and bluefish.

The workshops, which are fun for both children and adults, are ages ten and up and the fee is $12 per participant. Aquarium admission is not included. Pre-registration is required and can be made by calling 910-458-7468. Workshops are offered Saturday, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 9:00 am.