Jenks Lake Alligator?!?

[jpmarko]

Heard there was an alligator in Jenks lake? Not sure how big or how in the world it got there, but since I float tube the place frequently it made me wonder... Is the thing still in there or have they removed it? Basically, I don't wanna get my feet nipped. Thanks, I'd appreciate all the info I can get on this.

[Cartman]

Heard there was an alligator in Jenks lake? Not sure how big or how in the world it got there, but since I float tube the place frequently it made me wonder... Is the thing still in there or have they removed it? Basically, I don't wanna get my feet nipped. Thanks, I'd appreciate all the info I can get on this.

I dunno, but I heard it wasn't an alligator at all, but a 21' crocodile and had already taken down two float tubers.

[Cartman]

I dunno, but I heard it wasn't an alligator at all, but a 21' crocodile and had already taken down two float tubers.

Well, I can't actually back that up. Maybe there isn't an alligator in there at all or even a crocodile.

[CraigH]

I think both Fihing Queen and I posted about the alligator two or three weeks ago. I fished up there last week, and according to the camp host the alligator hasn't been seen in a while. There were a couple of guys float tubing last week, but everyone cleared off the lake when the thunderstorms started. According to the news someone was struck by lightning up there last Sunday. The article didn't say how bad they were hurt

[jpmarko]

Oh man, that's too bad that somebody got struck by lightning. Hope they're alright.

Yeah, I was float tubing probably there about a month ago. I heard some girls in a canoe scream something about an alligator and I thought it was a joke. I told a friend later and we had a good laugh about that because it sounded so unbelievable. But more recently, another friend asked me if I saw the warning sign about the alligator and I didn't know what the heck he was talking about.

Well, it would be nice to know that it has been removed. I love tubing there. Does anybody know a number that can be called?

[Cartman]

Oh man, that's too bad that somebody got struck by lightning. Hope they're alright.

Yeah, I was float tubing probably there about a month ago. I heard some girls in a canoe scream something about an alligator and I thought it was a joke. I told a friend later and we had a good laugh about that because it sounded so unbelievable. But more recently, another friend asked me if I saw the warning sign about the alligator and I didn't know what the heck he was talking about.

Well, it would be nice to know that it has been removed. I love tubing there. Does anybody know a number that can be called?

Even if there is one, I really don't think it poses any danger.

The water quality, however, may be a different story. Asian Guy had a story to tell, at least on another fishing board, about ecoli and other bacteria in the lake that could make you sick just from extended exposure to the water like you might get from tubing without waders. Maybe he's around and can comment?

[etaggart]

Yep - Jenks is a festering mud-hole of botulism, ecoli and virulant eagle feces - swarming with 30' alligators and vicious, man-eating piranhas. I think there's also a toxic nuclear cloud that's settled there with combined waste from Fukushima and Chernobyl. Don't go anywhere near that lake - especially as Fall approaches and the trout become active and the scenery gets even better.

... :Big Grin:

Some of us will do anything to protect a favorite location!

However, if anyone does have actual evidence - real, investigated news story, etc. - instead of anectdotes - please feel free to post. IF there were aligators I'd have a hard time believing they'd be anything more than large lizards - too cold, too small. The only crocs are probably at the bottom of the lake from some float tubing hippie gardener who forgot to take off his bizarre plastic shoes.

Cheers,

Eric

[CraigH]

Don't know anything about bad water quality at the lake, but I do know there are 3 signs at different locations around the lake warning about the alligator (that's one alligator). The first is to the left of the little box that holds the payment envelopes when you first drive in; the second is on the bulletin board by the "vault" where you deposit your $5 and envelope (at the start of the paved trail down to the lake); the third is on the bulletin board to the right of the wooden steps that go from the parking lot to the lake.

I fish the lake once a week this time of year, and have asked both the camp hosts (Paul and Raymond) about the alligator signs and they say an alligator approx 2 feet long was sighted earlier this year. It hasn't been seen lately. If it's a joke they are in on it, because the signs have been up for at least a month.

36916

[IncredibleHuck]

Don't know anything about bad water quality at the lake, but I do know there are 3 signs at different locations around the lake warning about the alligator (that's one alligator). The first is to the left of the little box that holds the payment envelopes when you first drive in; the second is on the bulletin board by the "vault" where you deposit your $5 and envelope (at the start of the paved trail down to the lake); the third is on the bulletin board to the right of the wooden steps that go from the parking lot to the lake.

I fish the lake once a week this time of year, and have asked both the camp hosts (Paul and Raymond) about the alligator signs and they say an alligator approx 2 feet long was sighted earlier this year. It hasn't been seen lately. If it's a joke they are in on it, because the signs have been up for at least a month.

36916


I heard it was a small Caiman from a few people who saw it on the far end in the tules.

Craig when you are up there, are th camp hosts still kicking everyone out an hour earlier then when the lake actually closes? It's supposed to be closing at dusk.

[The Fishing Queen]

I saw a warning sign also when I was there.


http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/TheFishingQueen/July%206/IMG_0331.jpg

[CraigH]

I heard it was a small Caiman from a few people who saw it on the far end in the tules.

Craig when you are up there, are th camp hosts still kicking everyone out an hour earlier then when the lake actually closes? It's supposed to be closing at dusk.

The last two trips (last Thursday and I don't recall what day the week before) there have been thunderstorms and rain that have cleared most people off the lake in the early afternoon. I waited out the storms in my car, and stayed until 5:30 or 6:00 PM each time. They weren't kicking anyone off the lake as of when I left, but there were only two or three cars in the parking lot.

[etaggart]

That sign rocks!!!! Craig - pic would rock if you see it or if the hosts have one. If it's a joke, that would be hillarious too - I've only met one of the hosts and while he seemed like a nice guy, we only chatted for a bit and I couldn't tell whether he's a jokester!

[RTG]

As far as the alligator goes-I wonder why there are no pictures? Because there isn't one. The rumor says some fishermen started the gator story in an attempt to keep the annoying kids off the lake (canoes, swimming, etc). Because if there was a gator in the lake the group camps wouldn't let the kids in it for liability reasons...so no kids in the water. Don't know if that's true, but it makes sense. With all the activity there, and the abundance of smart phones, surely someone would have snapped a picture by now. Also, you don't see any DFG personnel there regarding the gator. Surely they'd have some interest if it was there.
Also, regarding the "kicking people out at sunset" deal- the lake is not closed at sunset. The parking lot is. These are state waters, located within public land. The concessionaire does not own the lake. They manage it for the Forest Service. Fishing at night is legal (except Mono Co.). Same thing with the "winter closure". It is not closed, although San Bernardino County prohibits going onto lake ice. So...you can park outside and walk in to fish "after hours" or in winter. They just don't want you to know that. This has been confirmed by the USFS and DFG.

[etaggart]

I think RTG's right on target with all that info. I doubt there's an alligator, but it would be cool! I'd make up a story to make my float tubing there more spacious. I also understand same re: "closing". The parking lot closes, but not the lake.

Cheers,

Eric

[seal]

Don't know about Jenks but Irvine Lake had a gator some years back, it's completely believable that someone had a pet that got too big and dumped it at the lake. Dumb and sad thing to to if it was done because there is no way it would survive the winter. If it was dumped there's a chance it has already been picked off by wildlife in the area also.

A 2 foot alligator is not going to be biting off the appendages of swimming children, ok maybe a little toe or 2:Rolls Eyes:.

[CraigH]

I agree with seal that it was probably someone's pet. There are a lot of people who use that lake, including boy/girl scout troops, various camps, and other groups who have access to the canoes. A lot of the people I talk to who are fishing are there with kids and have very little tackle/experience so I'd say most people at the lake don't use this board. It's quite possible some of these people have pictures. If someone started an alligator rumor to keep people away from the lake it didn't work, because I see as many people fishing/wading/swimming/canoeing/rafting/float tubing as I do every year.

I've heard another theory. Supposedly someone from Scotland bought the closed store at Angelus Oaks, and this is the first step in their plan to increase tourism at the lake (and their store). The next step will be to change the name of the lake from "Jenks Lake" to "Jenks Loch" or "Loch Jenks", then all you have to do is start calling the alligator (or caiman) the "Loch Jenks Monster" or "Jenksie" for short and you have a lot more tourists going to your store.

If I get a couple of errands done early enough, I'll be heading up to the lake tomorrow late morning. Will take my camera, and promise to post any pictures I take of caimans, alligators, bigfoot, space aliens, ...

[Tubbytuba]

somthing we might be over looking. i know there is no chance a large reptile can survive the winter. but this supposed gator caiman crock could actually be a monitor lizard. i had a friend who owned one, and he contemplated letting it go when it got to 4 feet long and aggressive. theyre cheaper to own and apparently some pet stores actually sell them in California. theyve been found in this state before and it's the same thing with boa constrictors in Florida, some pet gets let loose because they get to big. also, i have seen one at the salton sea chillin by a canal. it wasn't one of those native alligator lizards it was a monitor for sure ive seen my fair share of animal planet haha. some dumb kid could have seen one and thought "big water reptile, only thing that comes to mind is an alligator!". remember there's no crocodile hunter on tv anymore to tell us the difference... i bet its a monitor lizard.

[Marley]

Chernobyl? Fukushima? SAN ONOFRE???

I bet it's an atomic water dog.

[Viejo]

You all are kidding, right? You truly are afraid of getting bit by an Alligator while float tubing at Jenks Lake? Try to imagine how an Alligator would survive water temps in the thirties and ice covering the surface in the winter. Don't think they do well in those conditions.

Ecoli...you bet. The fecal coliform counts in places like the San Gabriel River and deep creek in the summer time rival that of Avalon harbor or Baby Beach in Dana point. Off the charts.

[etaggart]

@marley - Maybe we can get George Clinton and Parlaimant Funkadelyc to hold a benefit concert to save the atomic water dog @ Jenks Lake!!!

[old pudd fisher]

Remember this old thread ? :EyePop: