Lake Mathews Riverside.

[old pudd fisher]

49560 49561Took a drive by it today, I live just ten miles from and it and it was my first visit. Dang I had no idea that it was so large, that's a nice hunk of water to bad its off limits for public boating and fishing, got to be some big boys living in that water.

[carpanglerdude]

Good photos. A fine example of the bizarre policies governing bodies of water in California. So many with restricted to public access for very little reason. Drinking water safety is often cited as the "reason" but other lakes that provide drinking water are still open. Go figure.

Sigh.

[etucker1959]

Good photos. A fine example of the bizarre policies governing bodies of water in California. So many with restricted to public access for very little reason. Drinking water safety is often cited as the "reason" but other lakes that provide drinking water are still open. Go figure.

Sigh.

It is open to a select few to fish!!! They even have a boat ramp!!!

[Cameron]

I use to own a home off Cajalco just west of El Sobrante. I loved it out there, lived in Lake Mathews, the zip is Perris, and my kids were bused to Corona for school. Kinda matches the weird policies of the lake,lol. Years back I knew folks that used to ninja this place at night but this is pre 90's. Since the 90's they have had hourly patrols cruise the lake and many of flight schools train over it.
Its the last stop before they pump it into the main drinking water system for L.A. I have seen the boys from DWP on the lake catching every cast, just like Diamond Valley was before they opened it. All American Asphalt's American lake is a good sized pond but do not know about fish in it.

[DarkShadow]

Good photos. A fine example of the bizarre policies governing bodies of water in California. So many with restricted to public access for very little reason. Drinking water safety is often cited as the "reason" but other lakes that provide drinking water are still open. Go figure.

Sigh.

Do you know if any tax dollars were used to create and maintain the lake?

Because if so, then anglers have an argument.

If private money was used? Then not so much of an argument.

[kwin]

you may recall a few years back a newly elected official attempted to make a name for themselves by getting Lake Mathews opened to the public and found the environmental/mitigation agreements that include the lake and surrounding conservation area were essentially bulletproof. The lake will unfortunately remain as it is now regarding access for the public.

[muskyman]

Man I am so glad I left Cali. The lakes and rivers out here are amazing and everything is set up for fisherman.

[XFACTOR]

Do you know if any tax dollars were used to create and maintain the lake?

Because if so, then anglers have an argument.

If private money was used? Then not so much of an argument.

It is property of the state water district and has signs on the fence "Dept of fish and game ecological reserve"

[Lady Quagga]

you may recall a few years back a newly elected official attempted to make a name for themselves by getting Lake Mathews opened to the public and found the environmental/mitigation agreements that include the lake and surrounding conservation area were essentially bulletproof. The lake will unfortunately remain as it is now regarding access for the public.

"Make a name for themselves"? Having read the background and terms of the settlement (http://www.mwdh2o.com/PDF_In_The_Community/LMR_Audubon_Settlement_Agreement.pdf), and reviewing the history of Lake Matthews itself (including the lack of public access since its creation 76 years ago), I am curious as to your description of Assemblyman Jeffries as merely "making a name for himself"......

[TUNAVIC]

Yup,that looks very inticing!

Cya Tuna Vic

[fishchum]

Lake Mathew:
Max. length 4 mi (6.4 km)
Max. width 2 mi (3.2 km)
Average depth Approx. 150 ft (46 m)
Water volume 182,000 acre feet (224 hm3)
Shore length1 Approx. 14 mi (23 km)
Surface elevation 1,391 ft (424 m)

Diamond Valley:
Max. length 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Max. width 2 mi (3 km)
Surface area 4,500 acres (1,800 ha)
Max. depth 260 ft (79 m)

You have to know somebody in the water district and Fish and Game department to fish in there.
have friends that live across the street from the lake and they said STRIPER every cast....

[Ssortasober]

You're killing me Larry. How can this be a no contact fishery?

[Lady Quagga]

Do you know if any tax dollars were used to create and maintain the lake?

Because if so, then anglers have an argument.

If private money was used? Then not so much of an argument.

To answer your question, in 1931 a $220 million bond was approved to fund construction of the Colorado River Aqueduct (of which Lake Mathews is the terminus).

That's over $3.4 billion in current dollars.

I was unable to find any information on the interest paid to bond-holders. However, taxpayers have footed 90% of the cost of the aqueduct.

[BassinPLS]

I say open it MWD; but they don't answer to anyone....as they say he who controls the water has all of the gold!

[pwynn]

Met is never going to open it. Heck they really didnt want to open DVL. As for fishing. Every few years a select few get to fish it for a weekend to get rid of some of the striper that are like carp in there.

[fishchum]

Met is never going to open it. Heck they really didnt want to open DVL. As for fishing. Every few years a select few get to fish it for a weekend to get rid of some of the striper that are like carp in there.

how do i get on the list? hahahahahaaa

[carpanglerdude]

you may recall a few years back a newly elected official attempted to make a name for themselves by getting Lake Mathews opened to the public and found the environmental/mitigation agreements that include the lake and surrounding conservation area were essentially bulletproof. The lake will unfortunately remain as it is now regarding access for the public.


I really don't understand how a body of water like Matthews, paid for with public funds, ends up locked away. Not very public. Of course, not the only spot like that in our vicinity. *Sigh*.

Typical to create an artificial lake, flood the area, then call it an ecological reserve and prohibit entrance. Sounds very 'natural' to me.

What does Matthews have that makes it so different from so many other bodies of water in the area that are also on the aqueduct line, supply water to the thirsty denizens of SoCal, and are actually open for body/water/fishing contact?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjjRyBlh_I4
Look at all that shoreline. Just begging to be fished.

To be clear, I'm not trying to point a finger at you, Kwin, I'm just befuddled by the decisions made by these various water departments. Public/notpublic/but certainly paid for by public funds and control vast swathes of 'public' land.