DECATUR - Ralph Harris fishes all over the Midwest, and he couldn't resist the lure of Lake Shelbyville on Saturday.

Harris had read that Lake Shelbyville is a great spot to cast a line, and the Rockford resident was not disappointed.

Early Saturday morning, he caught a walleye spanning more than 20 inches near the spillway of the dam.

"That's a nice little fish," Harris said. "I never expected to catch that today."

Harris was joined by several fishermen who huddled near the dam's spillway in hopes of catching a whopper.

In coming months, thousands of fishermen, swimmers, boaters and campers are expected to make their annual pilgrimage to Lake Shelbyville.

They'll have plenty to do around the lake this year. The campgrounds already are open, and the beaches open Friday.

"I imagine we'll have a full house this weekend," said lake Manager Ricky Raymond. "The weather is looking good, and the lake is looking great."

Last year, recreation options were limited because of shallow beaches and an early summer drought. Some lake areas were damaged from floodwaters in 2005.

But water levels this year ought to make the lake an ideal recreation destination again.

"As far as the lake level, this year is shaping up to be better than the last," Raymond said.

Lake visitors also will find improved facilities.

The Army Corps of Engineers, which runs the lake, has made improvements to the parks and shower buildings at Opossum and Coon creeks. The corps also is rehabilitating old showers at Lithia Springs, Raymond said.

The lake faces a budget cut of about $600,000, but most lake visitors shouldn't notice any big changes, Raymond said.

Some programs conducted by park rangers likely will be cut back.

"We've shifted our funding around to cover the essentials of the parks," Raymond said. "The grass may get a little taller, but we won't close parks or anything. We've got less people to do things, so when something happens, we can't respond as quickly."

But lake supporters are recruiting volunteers to help this summer.

"We are getting more volunteers, which is a wonderful thing," said Kathy Niksic, president of Kaskia Kaw Rivers Conservancy, a lake volunteer group. "The corps can always use more volunteers."

Volunteers fill many roles. Some take care of flower beds or help clean facilities; those with special skills or knowledge can offer programs at campgrounds or lead a nature walk.

Others help at events around the lake, including a re-enactment of an American Revolution battle in June.

"You name it, and they can pretty much volunteer to do it here," Niksic said.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to call the lake office at 774-3951 for more information.

The volunteers help ensure programs and services continue, despite the funding shortfall for the lake, Niksic said.

"Things are pretty much going to be the same as they've always been," Niksic said. "We're lucky we've got a good group of people working at the corps and good volunteers."

Lake visitors will notice an increased law enforcement presence this year, Raymond said.

After four lake deaths last year, a water safety task force was formed to reduce accidents and improve safety.

"The four fatalities we had last year and an increase in nonfatal accidents, that's definitely the reason (for the task force)," Raymond said.

Raymond said he was unsure how surging gasoline prices will affect lake tourism.

"It could drag us down, or it could bring us up," Raymond said. "I've seen it both ways. Usually, more people from the local area use the lake, but people from far off might not come as much.

"Fuel prices could definitely have an impact on the lake this year, the number of visitors and the length of time people stay," he said.

Already, the lake is drawing visitors from near and far.

David Cole of Pana came to the dam spillway Saturday morning to fish with his girlfriend and children.

Cole expects to return over the summer months.

"It's the kids' first time fishing here," Cole said. "I haven't been here for years, but I heard the crappie fishing was pretty good."

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.