. >> reporter: 2 days out from this, and airboat on lake apopka which commissioner fred brummer says was one of the best fishing makes in the country. >> it was a combination of the wastewater coming from winter garden, the farms, all of those issues, fish population. >> reporter: the commissioner says wildlife officials have made a big difference during to bring the lake back to life. >> that is what we like to highlight. we are moving in the right direction. >> reporter: we set out to see how they are working to restore the lake and ended up among the 400 acres of spattered ducks, while at officials start aplenty in 2011. those plants serve as habitat for fish and other organisms. >> in any lake you have, the habitat is the key in keeping the lake clean and healthy. >> reporter: mosquito creek outdoors says a quarter billion dollar investment by the state is already working. >> so far, 239 species of birds have been cited. >> reporter: with wildlife returning to the lee, officials are now aiming for people and hope bird palooza brings out crowds. people think of this as a polluted