Lake Corpus Christi, Texas When most anglers hear Corpus Christi, they think beach, bay and a host of inshore salt water species. However, just a short drive away from the city it provides water to, a freshwater impoundment provides a completely different angling experience. Though Lake Corpus Christi takes its name from the Sparkling City by the Bay, and though it is a short drive away from its namesake city, from an angling point of view, it is worlds apart. Covering just over 21,000 acres just outside the tiny town of Mathis, Lake Corpus Christi is fed by the Nueces River. It was the Nueces River, in fact, that provided most of the resident fish population found in Lake Corpus Christi today. Unlike many other Texas reservoirs which rely heavily on regular fish releases, Lake Corpus Christi has maintained its fish populations with little outside help. Florida strain largemouth bass have been planted in the lake, however, on three different occasions. Despite the relatively low amount of introduced fish, Lake Corpus Christi has quietly developed a quality fishery for several species, including largemouth bass, white bass, crappie and a variety of other panfish. Although it boasts a lake record largemouth of 13.50-pounds, Lake Corpus Christi receives relatively little pressure from serious bass fishermen. As a result, fly rodders can do quite well in the absence of the angling armadas that ply other South Texas reservoirs in search of lunker largemouths. Since they haven't been assaulted with as many artificial lures as bass on other lakes, the fish in Lake Corpus Christi are often a bit more aggressive and will greedily gulp a wide arrange of lures and flies. Crappie, both black and white, are also well entrenched in Lake Corpus Christi. In fact, the lake records for both varieties of crappie stand at more than 2 pounds. Fish going well past a pound are common. Though they are usually targeted by conventional tackle anglers with jigs and live minnows, crappie are also easily fooled by small flies fished on sinking lines. White bass are another option for anglers fishing Lake Corpus Christi. Most of the year, white bass are an `opportunistic target.' This is because these spunky fish spend the majority of their time in deep water and are usually caught when they are found schooling on the surface. The exception to this is during the spring `run,' during which the fish head into the shallower waters of the Nueces River, when they can easily be taken by fishermen utilizing live minnows, jigs, flies and a variety of other lures and baits. This `run' usually takes place between December and March. Anglers heading to Lake Corpus Christi will find a variety of other outdoor activities available in addition to fishing. In fact, camping is one of the most popular activities for lake visitors and there are a number of campsites and public access areas available, including the Lake Corpus Christi State Park (361-547-2635) and KOA Campground (361-547-5201). Both the State Park and KOA have boat ramps as well. To get to Lake Corpus Christi, anglers should take IH 37 North from Corpus Christi to Mathis, which is about 35 miles. From Mathis, there are at least half a dozen ways to access the lake, including FM 1068, Texas 359 and FM 3024. Although it is not nearly as productive as the city it provides water to, Lake Corpus Christi can nonetheless provide fly fishermen an enjoyable, relaxing and productive angling vacation. *Lake Corpus Chrisit photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife