Many don’t understand the difference between public and private.

I’m really confused. Is this lake private or public? If it’s private, why would they put ramps in for the public to access?

It is a public lake, just as Lake Bonham, Texoma, Bob Sandlin are public.

It is not semi private like Squaw with an entry fee.

It is not semi private like Moss or Nocona (annual fee)

It is not a fully private lake like Cherokee, Fairfield, or Kiowa.

It's a public lake. TCEQ is a Texas government agency. That's why its web address ends in texas.gov. NTMWD is also a government agency. It operates and is under the authority of TCEQ. How did the idea that it is a private, non-government business that built a private lake get started? Because it sold bonds? Your city and school district sell bonds, too. Are the local elementary and high schools private?

There are going to be a lot of unhappy people when the lake does open up. There is only enough parking for 50 or so boats, maybe not even that many. Multiply that by 3 boat ramps 1 of which may never open and there are going to be more boats than space. Plus I bet anyone not using the proper parking lot will be ticketed if you park on the grass or beside the road.

The term “public” is mis construed.

It’s owned and operated by a municipality. So is their waste water treatment plants but there is a guard shack to get past.
Texoma is owned by the corps of engineers.
Bonham by the city of bonham. City of bonham allows people to access with a fee. If it was “public” like you imply it would be free.

Lake Edgewood for example. No public access, used to be but the city got fed up and shut it down, now if you don’t own adjoining property no access. Maybe you guys should go explain to the city of Edgewood that it’s public property not the city of the Edgewood property.

In the ealy to mid 80's I fished both the "old" and "new" city lakes in Edgewood quite a bit. The "old" one had been purchased by a citizen and the fishing was really good. The "new" city lake was pretty new and the fishing was decent at the time.

I had no idea they closed public access to the city lake.

If it’s public, why aren’t you guys out boating on it?

Texoma isn’t free, every boat ramp on the lake has a use fee. Granted it’s all honor system except Highport.

Public doesn’t always = free access

I’ve been charged by COE, U.S Forest Service, Nat’l Park Service among other fed, state and municipal governments to access a lake. Sure there are many lakes that don’t charge - many times because they don’t want to administer the fee. If you’re paying a small fee of less than $20 I still see it as a public lake.

Now obviously some governments only own the park and boat ramp but no other land (usually the ones with houses everywhere) others (many times COE) own some land within the projects area for other land based recreational opportunity. There are some absolute gems on USFS lands, many overlook.