April is an awesome month down on Lake Seminole.

This is when the gators grunt, the azaleas are in full bloom, the wisteria bathes the woodlands with delicate purple and the white dogwoods pop out amongst the deep green pines.

April is also the time when the fishing is unbelievable. Catfish, shellcracker, bass, you name it and it is hungry.

Down at the lake, another sign of spring is the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Seminole State Park.

Assistant Park Manager David Jordan is making plans for this year’s event. It will be held on Saturday, April 11, starting at 10 a.m. And will continue until all of the eggs are found. The hunt will take place behind picnic shelter house No. 2. The only cost is the $3 parking fee.

The children will be divided into three age groups: 0-to 3-year-olds, 4- to 6-year-olds and 7-to 10-year-olds. This helps the little ones have a fighting chance to find as many eggs as they can.

Since it has been several years since Seminole State Park has held an Easter Egg hunt, they are trying to accumulate a large amount of plastic eggs. They are asking for donations of these colorful eggs filled with candy. Please bring them to the park office by April 10. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To call for more information, 861-3137 will put you in touch.

Seminole State Park is located off State Route 253 just before it intersects with State Route 39.

Shellcracker tournament

Another popular April fling on the shores of Lake Seminole is the annual Shellcracker Tournament and Festival. It is held at Spring Creek Park Resort and is sponsored by the Lake Area Lions’ Club.

The date this year is Saturday, April 25.

Gentlemen will be starting their engines around 7 a.m. to participate in this very competitive event. First, second, third and fourth place will receive prizes for the amount of fish. The Biggest Fish will receive a prize, too. All entrants 12 and under receive a tournament T-shirt and a trophy.

Another plus for entrants is that it makes you eligible for one of the many donated prizes. Since most of the prizes are worth more than the entry fee, some people enter the tournament not to fish but to be eligible for the drawings.

After the competition gets underway, the festival begins. This year’s will be bigger than those of the past. Vendors, craftsmen, games, prizes and entertainment are planned for the all day event.

For just $35, you can rent a space. If you require electricity, that can be made available for just slightly more in rental fee. See Reed at Spring Creek Park Resort to rent an area for your display.

They are also selling rubber ducks for the Rubber Duck Race. Five dollars will buy a duck or you can get a “Quack Pack” for $20. The first prize is a generous $500. The other top nine finishers get prizes too. See Lion, Reed Rognstad, 861-3601 or Lion Pat Kirkland 861-3334

Spring Creek Landing and Spring Creek Park Resort are located off of Spring Creek Road (State Route 253). Turn down Reynolds Landing Road.