There are people enjoying a stroll along the footpaths, sitting lakeside and even enjoying lunch with a water view. There are birds. And it doesn't smell.

And business for the shops facing the popular reserve have never been busier.

Fingers crossed the lake stays in this shape ready for the spring school holidays.

WATCH THE LAKE OPENING: It's open: lake floodwater at Lake Cathie released to the sea

For Zach Minturn and Misty Kelly at Feel Good Food, if the lake opening day was anything to gauge how good trade can be, then they're excited.

They took over the business in April 2019. They have never seen the lake open from their shopfront in that time. In fact, the waterway was bone dry for months.

The business has been impacted by the ailing health of the waterway, bushfires and now COVID-19. It can only get better for them from here.

"People would come in and talk about how good business will be when the lake is open," Misty said.

"We didn't know what to expect. On the day they opened the lake we had people in from 9am and we didn't stop until 7pm. We were flat out. We didn't stop.

"It was by far the best day of business we've ever had."

Zach said their winter trade has already surpassed what they managed over the summer holidays and looks forward to seeing the lake reserve full of people.

"Now that we've seen the potential for our business we're excited," Zach said.

"We wouldn't be here though if it wasn't for the support of this community. The locals and tradies - their repeat business just blows us away. Everyone has been very kind to us."

Wendy Dunn at Lakeside Fashions has witnessed the many changes at the lake from her Lakeside Fashions shopfront over the six years she has had the business.

"This was the most different I've seen it. From having no water in it in December to being flooded - the difference in just five months was amazing," Wendy said.

"I just hope whatever happens with it people are positive and just enjoy it."

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