San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I want to know everything about this lake, there is very little info I could find probably because no one fishes it . I heard it’s a 8 mile hike but I would hike double that for good fishing. I hear it has tank bass and have seen some 9lbs be caught also here it has striped bass, wondering if there is any legal way to fish it since it is super easy access for game wardens. If any one has experience or any info please lmk. Thank you .

Probably great fishing, looks really good when I have been mountain biking in the area. It is filled with water from Colorado River so it will definitely have fish. The main thing you need to find out is what the penalty for fishing it is.

It’s insane fishing, every cast is common. I’ve never been but a lot of kids are going right now and have been this past year. Some kid just got a 9 a few days ago. I know there’s a spot that you can park at a gate and walk 5-10 mins in to the water. Not sure where it is exactly.

BassbruiserDylan wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2024 7:10 am It’s insane fishing, every cast is common. I’ve never been but a lot of kids are going right now and have been this past year. Some kid just got a 9 a few days ago. I know there’s a spot that you can park at a gate and walk 5-10 mins in to the water. Not sure where it is exactly.

Wondering the legality of fishing it, is there any way to fish it legally or is it legal to fish?

Bryce wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:53 pm Wondering the legality of fishing it, is there any way to fish it legally or is it legal to fish?

I doubt it. I would think it's either legal, or it isn't. As far as I know it isn't.

Maybe if you know the right person/people you could fish it without worrying about getting caught, but that's not the same as legal.

https://elfinforest.olivenhain.com/faqs/ , regulations section says fishing allowed with written permission of the park manager only .

William Ritchie wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2024 3:15 pm https://elfinforest.olivenhain.com/faqs/ , regulations section says fishing allowed with written permission of the park manager only .

Where did you see that at? I read on the link you provided that fishing is prohibited….

Its #4 on the rules/regulations tab

Thanks, I saw under FAQ’s…

camobass wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2024 5:56 pm Thanks, I saw under FAQ’s…

IMG_6120.jpeg

I had a talk with a warden and one of the rangers on the site, it’s co ran with sdcwa which is a little discouraging, ended up sending a voicemail and email at them, offered to do some trash cleanup highly doubt they will let me fish but good to keep my hopes up .

I can only guess that permission would be granted , in the permitting process for biological studies Etc in a science based study in connection with another state or federal agency . But what do I know . Bet the fishing would be good . Fun to ponder. Tight lines

It’s funny - I’m just getting back into fishing and this post shows up. ~20 years ago a high school friend and I relocated a bunch of small bass from Hodges to this lake. I remember the PowerBait plastic worms (black w/ blue fleck) were working back then at Hodges. I returned to fish Olivenhain about 5 years later. The fish weren’t huge, but I caught one on just about every cast. Eventually a cop or sheriff (can’t remember) showed up and told me that I had to leave. No fines or anything - he just explained that one of the residents had called to complain about a car on the street (I parked on a private road and hiked to the lake). I’m sure the fishing is great! Good luck

The days of getting chased down by security are in the past for me. The last time a few years ago, we got popped by DFG fishing a closed rock quarry. When he asked for my license, I handed him my CA Driver's License, and he turns to me and says, "No, your fishing license."

He checked it, and asked us if we had caught anything, and then bounced. We were mouth agape, wondering why we didn't get a trespassing ticket.

A few weeks later, my buddy decides to press his luck again, and got whammied by the Sheriff. $600 ticket.

A few weeks after that, he tries it again. This time, a different warden popped him. $600 ticket.

Much like I don't speed on the freeway and run stop signs anymore because I don't have disposable income, the days of looking behind my shoulder while Trespassing is in my rear view mirror.

If anyone in the general public gets permission to fish Olivenhain, I will give up beer and vodka. Ain’t gonna happen in my lifetime.

JWall wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2024 12:21 pm If anyone in the general public gets permission to fish Olivenhain, I will give up beer and vodka. Ain’t gonna happen in my lifetime.

That sounds like a few spots around here too, especially the infamous Lake Mathews.

There are a few places north of that where you will get popped for trespassing, but hold some amazing fish. They're amazing for a reason.

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That sounds like a few spots around here too, especially the infamous Lake Mathews.


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My son lives on the hill right above Lake Mathews, you could almost cast into the lake from the backyard

With cheap FLIR tech and availability, the times of camo and nite time tressbassing are in the rear view mirror. Especially one of my favorite places that is now properly marked every 50’ and is now a federal crime if you get caught.
It’s not too hard to get out of no trespassing in Ca. A place has to be properly marked. Not just one sign. You can fight the tickets in court at most places but not all around here.