Not for 8-year-old John, a savvy fisherman used to such triumphs, but for the lake.

Since Hurricane Fran destroyed Lake Raleigh's dam in 1996 and drained, the lake has largely been off-limits to the public. That changed Saturday, as N.C. State University and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission officially re-opened the 90-acre lake as a public boating and fishing spot with three piers.

Located on NCSU's Centennial Campus, the lake is home to a variety of fish, including largemouth bass and catfish. A new boat ramp allows people to launch canoes, kayaks and any other watercraft not powered by gasoline.

Lake Raleigh's return to prominence might surprise those who know its history. Built in 1912, the lake was used as a water supply for the city until the mid-1980s. Following Fran, the lake remained a mud pit until it was refilled in 2001.

A cluster of townhouses and condos has since been built along the shore, and plans for Centennial Campus call for more development near the fishing piers.

The piers and an access road were built using a $130,000 federal grant. Tom Covington, who oversaw construction for the state wildlife commission, said the project was built with the knowledge that in 15 or 20 years, it might be replaced.

"Hopefully, now that it's here, people will want to keep it," Covington said.

The lake is meant to be used for recreation, research and education by NCSU students and the public.

Saturday's event catered to young and inexperienced anglers, though you wouldn't know it from all the fish being caught.

"This is my first time fishing, except for catching a car," said McKenna Cabot, 9, who said her previous experience involved borrowing a neighbor's Barbie fishing line and deploying it in her driveway.

Even more experienced fishermen, such as John Gehringer, were impressed with Lake Raleigh.

"I like it here," he said. "I think I'm going to fish here a lot."