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Several waterfront campgrounds are found around the lake and along the waterway. The parks can be reached by land or by water and are available year-round. The Corps manages campgrounds at three of the waterway locks: St. Lucie, Ortona and W.P. Franklin. At St. Lucie and W.P. Franklin, boat-in camping is possible. Water and electric hookups are available. Picnic facilities are open for day use year-round. Launch ramps are located around the lake and waterway, many offering lakeside picnic tables. Lake Okeechobee has a fine reputation for excellent fishing. More than 40 species are found in the lake. The most sought-after are the largemouth bass, blue gill, black crappie, and the famous Okeechobee catfish. Several saltwater species including tarpon and snook travel the waterway to W.P. Franklin and St. Lucie locks. The Corps maintains a self-guided nature trail, which identifies many native plants near the St. Lucie lock. In addition, dedicated hikers and bikers can follow a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail that utilizes Lake Okeechobee's Herbert Hoover Dike. Two Seminole Indian reservations are located close to project boundaries and throughout the year, many community festivals reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the region.
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