Spring hasn't exactly arrived just yet, but Lake Waco has begun opening up its parks that were seriously damaged by last year's floods.
Scott Wilson caught a few today, as he cast his line into Lake Waco. He's glad to get back to fishing after flooding forced him elsewhere for a while.
"It's only like, a mile from my house, and it's so nice to be able to just get up and have a place to fish," he explained.
Fishermen and boaters took to the lake quickly since the first of the closed areas re-opened last weekend.
”We had a few that opened up March 1st. Speegleville, Twin Bridges, the rest of the facilities should be open by April 1st, except for those that are still damaged by the floods,” said Mike Champagne with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Airport Beach, which took heavy damage, still needs lots of work and will open later, while other beaches beckon now. But don't expect perfection here.
"A little TLC wouldn't hurt. Volunteer work would be great for this place," said Kenneth Bagley of Waco.
The Corps of Engineers, which operates the lake, is reminding folks the lakes are meant for flood control, so it needs lots of up-keep.
”Unfortunately in the last five years, we've fluctuated quite a bit, gone up 18 feet multiple times, and that's inundated a lot of our facilities and caused a lot of damage," said Champagne.
But to most visitors, getting to the lake matters more than looks.
”I'm looking forward to being out here. I'm out here year-round so I'm gonna do it," said Christopher Harrison.
Because if you expect to catch the big ones, you'll need plenty of practice.
"I'm looking forward to a good year fishing," said Wilson.
If you'd like to join in and volunteer to help speed up repairs, check with Keep Waco Beautiful, or call the local Army Corps Of Engineers Office.
