Water activities are in full swing year-round at Lake Corpus Christi State Park. Guests can enjoy a day of fishing, boating, swimming, paddling, geocaching, birding and so much more.

Lake Corpus Christi itself is quite large with a surface area of 18,256 acres. Large amounts of aquatic vegetation throughout the reservoir lend to great fishing opportunities. Better yet, no fishing license is required to fish from the pier or shore in this 356-acre state park.

Pick up a can of worms from a local bait-and-tackle shop, borrow a pole from the state park office and cast off from the new fishing pier. Angling enthusiasts will find a wide range of fish species in Lake Corpus Christi. Catfish is especially excellent in the reservoir with three varieties: blue, channel and flathead. Other predominant species are largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish.

On the land, the park has plenty of lakeside picnic areas and barbecue pits, hike-and-bike trails, restroom facilities with showers, fire pits and wildlife. Pavilions are available for group picnics. Kids can pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal at the park headquarters. Complete all the tasks to earn a badge.

For those wishing to make a weekend of it, the park includes more than 100 campsites, RV sites and shelters. Campers can choose from primitive spots to sites fully equipped with water, electricity and air conditioning. For information on reserving space at the park, call (800) 792-1112.

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance is $5 a day. Children 12 and younger get in free. Lake Corpus Christi State Park is located 35 miles northwest of Corpus Christi on Park Road 25 and 4 miles southwest of Mathis off Texas 359. Visit the TPWD website for links to maps, directions and fishing tips.

Find more articles like this in Parks