Sulphur Creek Reservoir
Encyclopedia
Sulphur Creek Reservoir (also called Laguna Niguel Lake) is an artificial 44 acres (178,061.8 m²) fishing
and recreation
al lake in Laguna Niguel, California
. It is created by the Sulphur Creek Dam
, which was completed in 1966. It is located at 33°32′59"N 117°42′22"W and is 190 feet (57.9 m) above sea level. It is fed from two sources, one of which is Sulphur Creek
itself and one is a storm drain
. It is accessed from La Paz Road, which runs along its east shore. Surrounding the reservoir is the Laguna Niguel Regional Park
. In addition, within the lake on the large island is a protected bird sanctuary.
Laguna Niguel Lake is located in Laguna Niguel Regional Park. There is a fee to access the park and lake which costs $3 on weekdays, and $5 on weekends, and $7 on holidays.
, bass
, blue gill and trout
. Bench boats with trolling motors may rented from the concession building for fishing or recreation. The Summer Rate price to rent is $10 for one hour, and $25 for a full day of use.
"Hook-Jaws" exceeding sizes of 15 pounds. As of November 2007 the lake stopped stocking these Utah trout and instead received their stockings from the Mt. Lassen fish hatchery. The lake has recently received new operators who are bringing back these famous Utah raised Rainbow Trout come November 2010. The limit for trout is 5 fish per stringer, and no trout may be released unless caught on barbless artificials or flies only. Additional fish may be kept with another fishing permit purchase. The current lake trout record is 15.5 pounds caught by Dan Ingouf.
The lake is privately owned by the county, and is leased out to Rick Mendoza -one of the original operators - and Darren Colbert who are in charge of the fishing and concession. As of October 2011, the price to fish the lake is $20 for an all-day, 5 fish limit permit. There are additional fees to launch a float tube or rent a boat.
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
al lake in Laguna Niguel, California
Laguna Niguel, California
Laguna Niguel is an affluent city located in southern Orange County, California. The name "Laguna Niguel" is derived from the Spanish word "Laguna" which means lagoon, and the word "Nigueli" which was the name of a Juaneño Indian village that was once located on Aliso Creek. The population was...
. It is created by the Sulphur Creek Dam
Sulphur Creek Dam
Sulphur Creek Dam is a dam across Sulphur Creek in Orange County, in the U.S. state of California. The dam and the Sulphur Creek Reservoir lie entirely within the city of Laguna Niguel...
, which was completed in 1966. It is located at 33°32′59"N 117°42′22"W and is 190 feet (57.9 m) above sea level. It is fed from two sources, one of which is Sulphur Creek
Sulphur Creek
There are several creeks named Sulphur Creek:*Sulphur Creek , a tributary of Aliso Creek*Sulphur Creek , a tributary of the Baker River...
itself and one is a storm drain
Storm drain
A storm drain, storm sewer , stormwater drain or drainage well system or simply a drain or drain system is designed to drain excess rain and ground water from paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs. Storm drains vary in design from small residential dry wells to large municipal systems...
. It is accessed from La Paz Road, which runs along its east shore. Surrounding the reservoir is the Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Laguna Niguel Regional Park is a public park in Laguna Niguel, in southern Orange County, California. Its main feature is Sulphur Creek Reservoir, located within the park's boundaries.Laguna Niguel's 4th of July fireworks show is held at the park every year....
. In addition, within the lake on the large island is a protected bird sanctuary.
Laguna Niguel Lake is located in Laguna Niguel Regional Park. There is a fee to access the park and lake which costs $3 on weekdays, and $5 on weekends, and $7 on holidays.
Recreational Uses
It is used for fishing and has been stocked with catfishCatfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
, blue gill and trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
. Bench boats with trolling motors may rented from the concession building for fishing or recreation. The Summer Rate price to rent is $10 for one hour, and $25 for a full day of use.
Fishing Information
Laguna Niguel Lake is a very popular rainbow trout fishing location during the season (November–April). The lake became famous within the fishing community for stocking "wild raised" Utah"Hook-Jaws" exceeding sizes of 15 pounds. As of November 2007 the lake stopped stocking these Utah trout and instead received their stockings from the Mt. Lassen fish hatchery. The lake has recently received new operators who are bringing back these famous Utah raised Rainbow Trout come November 2010. The limit for trout is 5 fish per stringer, and no trout may be released unless caught on barbless artificials or flies only. Additional fish may be kept with another fishing permit purchase. The current lake trout record is 15.5 pounds caught by Dan Ingouf.
The lake is privately owned by the county, and is leased out to Rick Mendoza -one of the original operators - and Darren Colbert who are in charge of the fishing and concession. As of October 2011, the price to fish the lake is $20 for an all-day, 5 fish limit permit. There are additional fees to launch a float tube or rent a boat.
External links
- http://www.lagunaniguellake.com/ - More information about the lake, fees, and general fishing.
- http://www.HookUpSportfishing.com/ - Current fishing reports and tips.