Fishing Diamond Valley
Lake California
Diamond Valley Lake is located in the city of Hemet, just an hour
ride south of Riverside. Built between two mountains, DVL is southern
Californias Largest reservoir. Surrounded by protected reserves
and multiple hiking trails gives the lake a peacfull setting. DVL
covers ruffly 4,500 acres and mesures two miles wide by 4.5 miles
long. It has a depth of 260 feet and holds approximatly 800,000acre/feet
of water. By the way, did you know that an acre/foot of water is
equivalent to the use of water by two southern california families?
Diamond Valley Lake was constructed by Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California. The project started in September of 1995
and was completed in December 1999. MWDSC started filling the reservoir
in November 1999 and was completly filled by 2002. Thanks to CDFG(California
Department of Fish and Game) Biologist Mike Giusti, we now have
one of the best multi~tier fisheries. Early reports suggest that
the quantity and size of catches will be staggering.
The reservoir has been stocked with a plethera of fish. Starting
with Black Bass and broodstock in a rearing pond was introduced
to the lake in the begining and is now the bottom of the lake. In
1998 two species were added to DVL, Northern and Southern Blugill
along with Redear Sunfish. The favorite Florida~strain Largemouth
Bass was stocked in 1999 and a year later, Smallmouth Bass followed
with its own introduction. In the same year CDFG opted to add Channel
Catfish and Blue Catfish, which are known to grow as large as 100
lbs. Forage fish are also present. Stocked with Tule Perch, Inland
Silverside, Prickly Sculpin, Green Sunfish, and Threadfin Shad makes
a delicious meal for the other bigger fish.
The records for Diamond Valley Lake is as follows:
• Big Bass 16 lbs. 13 ozs. by Seng Panyavong(exp)
• Big Catfish 23 lbs. 8ozs. by Scott Osborn
• Big Crappie 3 lbs. 8ozs. by Delbert Carter
• Big Trout 12 lbs. by Chance Cassell
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