Keith Miller is at it again.

Miller, who is assistant athletic director for compliance at Baylor, caught a fish every day through the year of 2009, and beginning April 1, he will start a yearlong commitment to catch at least one fish daily for 365 consecutive days.

The goal is to build awareness of the importance of connecting young people to the outdoors and developing future stewards of natural resources. Miller will use social media to share his experiences, and he plans a series of public fishing dates to spread awareness in various cities.

“I’m concerned about a decline in youth participation in the outdoors over the past 10 years,” said Miller, who said he’s seen a corresponding decrease in young people’s knowledge, understanding and stewardship of natural resources.

He’s already proven he can achieve his goal, but Miller’s new challenge is to also raise money for programs to connect youth to the outdoors through fishing.

Also, using new social media tools, Miller wants to engage youth with daily experiences outdoors through Facebook postings, blogs and Twitter. You can keep up with Miller’s progress on Facebook at “Catching a Fish a Day With Keith Miller.”

Lake Waco changes

Several years ago, I expressed my opinion that Lake Waco’s Corps of Engineers would be happy if all those pesky people who use the lake for recreation would just go away and leave the Corps alone to open and close the flood gates.

That opinion was described by some as overblown, but after a decades-long policy of barricading entrances and otherwise restricting access to day use activities like fishing and picnicking, it captured the frustration that many outdoorsmen felt.

Now the Corps is considering further limiting access to the lake by closing campgrounds at Speegleville and Reynolds Creek parks from Oct. 1 through April 1 of each year in order to cut costs. Also on the table is closing Koehne Park completely during the same period. Campgrounds at Midway and Airport parks would remain open year-round.

Fishermen have requested for years that campground shorelines be available for day use during the winter months because of the low number of campers. Some of the best bank fishing on the lake can be found in designated camping areas, and the revenue generated through park entrance fees would certainly increase if those areas were opened up to day users.

The Corps is accepting public input on these proposed changes through April 14. To comment, call 756-5359 or send an email to randall.r.mccartney@usace.army.mil.

‘Ask An Expert’

It’s spring spawning season for Texas freshwater fish and a great time to go fishing. In the second installment of a new “Ask An Expert” live chat series, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host an online session noon-1 p.m. Wednesday where freshwater fisheries experts will answer questions and talk about what’s biting, how to fish and where to go.

Join the conversation online or just read along on the TPWD “Ask An Expert” website, www.tpwd.state.tx.us/askanexpert/springfish2011.

Lake Fork’s claim to fame

You can catch big bass just about anywhere in Texas, but for Vegas odds on catching a whopper, Lake Fork is still the king.

For the past eight years, TPWD has been collecting information on catches of trophy bass seven pounds or greater or 24 inches or longer at Lake Fork. Through February of this year, the survey recorded 11,368 such fish.

With an average of 1,421 fish over 7 pounds every year, these numbers suggest the lake is still doing well. By comparing eligible fish encountered in creel surveys with survey results for the same days, biologists estimate fewer than 10 percent of actual catches are reported, making these results appear even more astounding. 

Joining the 2-pound club

Rod Robertson of Dallas became the ninth member of the 2011 two-pound club at Navarro Mills Lake recently, with a 2.02-pounder he caught at the marina’s fishing dock. Waxahachie’s JuJu Camarillo had the top two fish in the marina-sponsored monthly big-fish tournament. His biggest weighed 2.35 pounds.

Marina owner Brenda Wallen (254-578-1131) reports a strong crappie bite in the mornings and evenings from 6 to 10, with best baits being small minnows and blue/white jigs fished in the shallows.

Fishin’ For Kids tourney

The second-annual Optimist Club of Waco “Fishin’ For Kids” bass tournament is slated for Saturday at Lake Waco.

It’s a two-person team event and registration is $160 per team, which includes a $10 big bass pot entry. Arrival time is 6 a.m. and the first flight will report for weigh-in at 3 p.m. Headquarters is a the Twin Bridges Park boat ramp. Fishing legend Charlie Pack will serve as the tournament emcee.

A number of area youth charities will benefit from the proceeds. For more information, call Donna Hawkins at 366-5948.

www.centexoutdoors.com

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