Charlie, I also am not near any of the big lakes, nearest one is Monroe, 1.5 hours away. But I go and use the lakes in my state. The lake sticker is certainly not "fair" for everyone but what on earth is... No need to complain about everything on God's great earth, everything is more expensive and it's not getting any better. My suggestion to you is just stay home and save all that money, let us other idiots go out and pay for gas, hotels, campsites, we will take care of the areas for you.... so when you go once a year they will be clean and ready for you.