The month of March isn’t just about longer days and warmer weather - it’s a season of natural revitalization. From countless bird species returning from their winter migrations to the Alligators emerging from cold-weather dens, everything seems to wake up and get moving. And just like our plants and animals, Toadfish is on the move too - working to protect and preserve the coastal ecosystems that fuel our existence.

Marsh Madness Spring 2025 Schedule!

This year, just like last, we’re diving into four weekly themes centered around conservation, education, and advocacy:

•  Week 1 - Being an Angler and Conservationist

•  Week 2 - Cleaning Up Our Beaches and Reducing Plastic Waste

•  Week 3 - Proper Fish Handling and Why It's Essential

•  Week 4 - The Lifecycle of A “Used” Oyster

We’re kicking off Marsh Madness with a powerful conversation about responsible fishing practices. To learn more, we’re sitting down with David Fladd, Co-owner of Eyestrike Jigheads and founder of Release Over 20, to dive into the importance of self-imposed limits for the sake of conservation.

As anglers, it’s our responsibility to ensure our favorite fisheries stick around indefinitely - that’s why understanding the science behind conservation is so crucial. This week, we’ll explore why conservation works, which groups of fish are at a biological disadvantage, and which fish might be legal to keep but are better off released. We’ll also shed light on just how rare those trophy-sized catches really are!

 Being a responsible angler is about more than simply following regulations—it’s about being a steward of the water.  If we want to keep catching fish for generations to come, we’ve got to create good habits today and #PutEmBack!

We’re heading behind the scenes at SCDNR with Wildlife Biologist Matt Perkins to get the inside scoop on proper fish handling and why it’s crucial for conservation. From understanding the mortality rates of trout after losing their essential slime coat to learning the best practices for releasing fish, this week is all about safeguarding the futures of our coveted gamefish.

We’ll take a deep dive into fish stock enhancement research and learn about SCDNR's fish hatchery to see how these efforts contribute to healthier fisheries. When releasing a fish remember 3 things: Handle with care. Release with purpose. Keep our fisheries thriving.

We’re wrapping up Marsh Madness by exploring the incredible journey of an oyster, from your table back into their natural environment. The shells we’re dealing with come from restaurants, local drop-off sites, and events like the Lowcountry Oyster Fest, but before they can help rebuild oyster beds, they’ve got to be cleaned and quarantined.

We’re joining the SCORE program at one of their Trash Pickin’ Tuesday events to sort through the trash that gets mixed in with recycled oyster shells. Everything from oyster knives to shucking gloves to jars of hot sauce, helping prepare these shells for their next role in coastal conservation.

It’s a dirty job, but it’s an essential part of the oyster quarantining process. When repurposed, these shells become the foundation for new oyster habitats, supporting cleaner water and thriving ecosystems.