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.
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.
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.
Man I am so glad I left Cali. The lakes and rivers out here are amazing and everything is set up for fisherman.
"Make a name for themselves"? Having read the background and terms of the settlement, 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"......
Yup,that looks very inticing!
Cya Tuna Vic
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?
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.
Last edited by carpanglerdude; 02-17-2017 at 03:58 PM.