Empty beer and cooler bottles and smashed water toys were strewn across the foreshore after one of the busiest days on the lake for the summer.

The Pines was the worst hit with bins located less than 100 metres away unused and Kookaburra Point also littered with garbage including broken glass the day after thousands spent the public holiday at the lake.

Wodonga police Kevin Mack was at Lake Hume with his family on Thursday and said the bulk of the mess at The Pines was left by two large groups of young people.

He is aware of some of the people who created the mess with their ages ranging from 16 to 24 years.

Mr Mack said he would pass their details to Albury police and vowed to take up the issue with Albury and Wodonga councils and Goulburn Murray Water to ensure there was no repeat next year.

“I was there and know they were the ones who left the rubbish,” he said.

“The issue now is we will have to task patrols to make sure people are picking up their rubbish.”

Those found guilty of littering face fines up to $250.

Plastic rubbish bags used for a large water slide were also part of the mess at The Pines.

“There is always alcohol involved and do they feel like picking up after themselves after they have had a gutful?” Mr Mack said.

“I think not, but I don’t know who they think is going to clean up after them.”

Wodonga’s Andrew Harris, who headed to Lake Hume yesterday with his family, spent close to half-an-hour cleaning up the mess.

“It was shocking,” he said.

“It was left in one big pile and took me 20 minutes to clean up.

“If five blokes had of done it yesterday, it would have taken them less than five minutes.

“It would be less than a 60-metre walk to where the bins were.”

Mr Mack said young people should have more respect for the area.

“Everybody has a responsibility to their own environment,” he said.

“The bigger issue is safety and the mess that goes into the water we drink.”