I've been lucky enough to live nearby and fish Irvine for well over a decade and a half.
I don't get why anglers get pissed at the lake when they don't catch fish. Yes, I know that you paid money to come to the lake.
I've had MANY days where the anglers to the left and right are just killing them. I use the same bait, leaders, etc and I get the skunk.
Do I blame the lake? HELL NO!!! It is called fishing, not catching.
Somedays you're the hammer, somedays the rock. It's called life.
If you want to GURANTEE a fish, go to the store and buy one.

What I've found works for me is throw the tackle box at them.
Change the bait. Change the color. Leader length. Line weight.
I had a day where NO ONE was catching. I had pink worm, white egg. On a whim, I went with pink worm, yellow egg. BAM!!!! I was limited in 40 minutes.

If you choose not to come back, that's OK with me. Less people to compete with.
I will always fish here. Not just cause it's close to home, but for the chance to score a DD trout, and the raffles, the Team 57 get togethers, etc.
Do I go to other lakes? Yes and I get fish and the skunk too.

I'm not banging on anyone on this site. Do as you like.
Remember, YOU chose this hobby. It's not an easy hobby. Sometimes frustrating, but in my opinion, always worth it.