Diamond Valley Lake

Location and Directions:

2615 Angler Avenue
Hemet, CA 92545
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     Diamond Valley Res. is located in Riverside County near the city of Hemet, CA. From Los Angeles Take Interstate 60 east to Interstate 215 south toward San Diego. Exit I-215 at the California Highway 74 exit east to Hemet. The highway name will change to Florida Avenue and turn right (south) on Sanderson Ave. Turn left (east) on Domenigoni Parkway and take it to Searl Parkway and turn right (south) to the east Marina.


General Info:

    Diamond Valley Res. consist of over 4,500 surface acres and rests at an elevation of 1,756 feet. The lake is 4.5 miles long by 2 miles wide. It is managed by the Metropolitan Water District. The dams were constructed from 1995-2003 to provide additional water storage for the Southern California area. The lake is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Entrance fee is $7 per vehicle. No pets allowed. Body contact with the water is not allowed. For more information contact (800) 590-LAKE or visit the Diamond Valley Website

Other lakes in the area:
Skinner Res.
Perris Lake
Hemet Lake


Boating Info:

    Launching is currently available at the East Marina only. Launch Fee is $6. Only boats with four-stroke engines or 2001 and later model direct-injection two strokes that comply with CARB emission requirements are allowed.

Only gasoline free of the additive MTBE is allowed. Boats containing MTBE fuel will be turned away. The California Air Resources Board has reported that MTBE was removed from all gasoline refined for sale in California in Nov. 2003. Therefore, all gasoline must be purchased in California and proof of purchase will be required for boats with out-of-state registration. Refueling is prohibited except in designated areas. Sail, electric and man-powered boats are permitted. Float tubes and kayaks are not allowed. Rental boats are available at the marina. Visit Diamond Valley Boating Rules and Diamond Valley Marina Website for additional boating info.


Boat Inspections

    "All boats-power boats, fishing boats, sailboats, rowboats, kayaks, canoes and certain types of catamarans-and respective engines must pass inspection and be registered to be allowed on the lake."

Inspection Sites:

  • Diamond Valley Lake Marina - 8am to 3pm daily.
  • Lake Skinner Recreation Area, 37701 Warren Road, Temecula. 6am to 2pm daily.

Fishing Info:

    The lake has been stocked with large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, red-eared sunfish, blue and channel catfish and rainbow trout. There are also a few striped bass and crappie here which entered through the aquaduct. Fishing permits are $3 per person. Be sure to visit the CDFW web site for complete regulations before heading out.

Fish Planting History:

    Fish stockings began back in 1998 in an 80-acre rearing pond at the reservior site. A total of 217 Florida-strain largemouths to 8-pounds were captured, mostly from Hodges lake in San Diego, and released into the pond. Also included were stockings of 15,000 Florida bluegill, 17,000 northern bluegill, 10,000 redear sunfish and at least 2,000 fingerling largemouth bass. As the lake rose during the filling process in 2000, the rearing pond became submerged, releasing the bass and panfish into the reservior. At this time channel and blue catfish, crappie, smallmouth bass (2,200 in the 6-12 inch range), and rainbow trout (as many as 300,000) were planted. To provide forage for these fish, silverside minnows, shiners, tule perch and two types of crawfish were also included in the plantings. In 2001, an additional 1,500 1-pound rainbow trout and 500 4-5 pound rainbows were also introduced.

    According to Mike Giusti, DFG Biologist assigned to the Diamond Valley Fishery, the fish in the reservior have experienced a tremendous growth rate. There was a successfull bass spawn in 1999 and by the end of 2001 these fish had reached close to 5-pounds each. The rainbow trout that were planted in Nov. and Dec. of 2000 were small sub-catchables consisting of 6 to 15 fish to the pound. By May of 2001 these fish were in the 1.5-pound range! Although the DFG is trying to keep them out, striped bass have also made their way into the lake and specimens to 8-pounds have already been caught.

» Photos

  • FNN member "BillyBass" went to DVL and got into some nice largemouths!>>>Report
  • Spring striper action is starting to heat up in our local lakes. FNN member "GdHkSet1" went to Diamond Valley Lake and scored some nice stripers like these!>>>Report
  • Comments and Tips:

        DVL is a fantastic lake to fish on. I have never gone away with out catching a fish. If you don't own a boat (like myself) you can rent a rather nice set up from the marina, some boats are equiped with trolling motors and sonar. Focus on the East end and the south shore line toward the submerged trees for bass and trout. Troll the lenght of the lake to snag a big trout or a stripper!! good luck, this place is a diamond in the rough!!!
    --
    Chris Lorenzi


        shoreline fishing is very rugged, in summer, watch for snakes, some of the paths to the water are very narrow and it's easy to step on an unfriendly animal, but it is very clean and enjoyable.


        My name is Bill Hutcheson. I am a regular contributor to Western Outdoors, Western Outdoor News, and Bass West magazine, among others.

    I fished Diamond Valley lake with DFG Biologist Mike Giusti on September 24th from 7 am to 10:30 am. Conditions were overcast and water clarity was from 10-12 feet. During our short outing, we managed to boat roughly 30 bass. These were all quality fish that went up to 4.5 lbs with the average fish being around 2-2.5 lbs. The fish hit a variety of lures including topwater walking baits, crankbaits, rip baits, and worms. The optimum colors were purples, blues, and greens. I had particularly good luck with a 7.5" AA worm in purple/re fleck and Watermelon/red fleck. I also managed to catch several nice topwater fish on an Ichiban minnow lure.

    Mike Giusti noted that it was a slow day, but none the less, the fishing we experienced was clearly some of the best freshwater bassin' that So Cal has to offer!

    The quality of the fish is incredible. All the bass were footballs and fought well. The coloration on all the fish was simply beautiful. I will forward some pictures as soon as I get them back.

    RIght now, the fish are uneducated and anglers who manage to get in on the fishing in the next few months should have a great time. Just remember to catch and release to preserve this fishery.

    Good Luck

    Bill Hutcheson


    If you know something about this area or have some photos that you'd like to share, please E-mail and I'll post it here!

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