It was a big news day for residents of southeast Topeka. The same day German troops entered Poland, signaling the beginning of World War II, Lake Shawnee opened for fishing.

Kansas Wildlife and Parks supplies Lake Shawnee with baby fish at no charge. More than 10,000 catfish and bass were moved from rearing ponds to the lake in late 2000.

The process isn't a new one. The county has been growing fish for more than 30 years.

The lake is also host to an Independence Day celebration each year, as thousands of Topekans watch fireworks in the night sky.

Lake Shawnee is the anchor of activity in southeast Topeka. The surrounding area is also home to Lake Shawnee Golf Course and a park carrying the same name. Highland Crest, Matthews and Dornwood parks also are located in the area.

Many of the area's homes are newer than those in the central city, although growth that has continued to breathe life into west Topeka has surpassed much of the city's east side.

The Kansas Turnpike stretches across this region of the city. The highway is Topeka's economic lifeline to the state's two other metropolitan areas Wichita and Kansas City. Interstate 70 reaches across much of southeast Topeka's northern boundary.

Southeast Topeka is served primarily by Topeka Public Schools, including Highland Park High School, although parts of the outlying area fall in the Shawnee Heights school district.