Irvine Lake, lake in the United States of America
Irvine Lake is a man-made reservoir in California situated at the base of Cleveland National Forest, covering roughly 700 acres with steep rocky cliffs and quiet coves. The lake collects water from Santiago Creek and surrounding mountains, and is managed by the Irvine Ranch Water District to supply water for nearby towns, homes, and farming.
The lake was built in 1933 to store water for nearby towns and farms, and opened for public fishing in 1941. It became a popular gathering place for families and community events over the decades, though it closed in 2016 due to management disputes and has since been working toward reopening.
The lake is also called Santiago Creek Reservoir and serves the local community as a water storage site managed by the Irvine Ranch Water District. It has historically been a gathering place where families and groups came together to enjoy outdoor activities and time by the water.
The lake is open Friday through Sunday with parking available for a small fee near the shoreline access points. Visitors should arrive early as gates open at seven in the morning, and access may be closed unexpectedly during high winds or dangerous weather conditions.
The lake is known for large fish records including catfish reaching nearly 90 pounds and trout exceeding 22 pounds that draw anglers hoping to break records. Currently only shoreline fishing is permitted, as boats and watercraft have been banned for safety reasons since past incidents.
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