New fishing pier opening at Lake Corpus Christi

A new fishing pier opens to fan fair and free fishing at Lake Corpus Christi State Park August 11. Visitors can fish free from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Borrow a pole — also for free — from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Free bait will be available from H-E-B grocery stores. Food and drinks will be provided as well as games and other activities throughout the day. 
More good news: no fishing license is required if fishing within the state park.
Lake Corpus Christi is located 35 miles northwest of the City of Corpus Christi on Park Road 25, four miles southwest of Mathis off State Highway 359. Entrance is $5 a day. Children 12 years and under are free. 
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The busy season at this 356-acre park is late winter through summer. Boating with motors is allowed, as well as water skiing, fishing, swimming, bird watching and hiking. 
Lake Corpus Christi State Park is one of two reservoirs that supplies the City of Corpus Christi with water. A reservoir, it was created by a dam built in 1935 with federal funds provided by President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. The park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1934 and 1935. Buildings included a bathhouse, park resident and refectory. Only the refectory remains. 
Today — along with the new pier — the park includes 60 campsites with water, 23 campsites with water and electricity and eight with all of the above and sewer. Fifteen shelters with picnic tables, outdoor grills, fire rings, water and electricity are also available. Ten shelters have air-conditioning with nearby restrooms. Pavilions are available for group picnics. 
For information on reserving space at the park, call 800-792-1112.