Southern California's largest fishing hole is only six years old and doesn't even show up on some maps. But bass anglers are having no trouble finding what is rapidly becoming known as one of the most productive fishing lakes in the state.

Photo by Ernie Cowan.

Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet was opened in late 2003 after a massive construction effort to build three dams enclosing two mountain ranges. What was once a huge cattle ranch is now an angler's paradise covering 4,500 surface acres and more than 26 miles of varied shoreline.

Thirsty Southern California needed the lake as a major domestic water storage facility, but the planners at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California also had visions of a world-class fishery. As earth was being moved to create the dams, California Department of Fish and Game fisheries biologist Mike Giusti was moving mountains of brush piles and tending a small pond holding 217 largemouth bass that would seed the lake when it started to fill in 2000. Rising lake waters flooded the 80-acre pond in a dusty corner of the lake basin and the 217 bass had a new world to populate.

By the time the lake was opened to fishing in October 2003, there had been four spawning seasons and the bass population had exploded far beyond Giusti's expectations. Growth rates were also exceptional due to the combination of highly nutrient soil, excellent habitat and a balanced food chain. Bass that were put into the small rearing pond weighing between 2 and 8 pounds were now being caught at 10 to 15 pounds. It quickly became obvious that DVL was something special.

In only six fishing seasons, anglers are now regularly catching five-fish bass limits weighing 20 to 25 pounds. The DVL bass record stands at 16.43 pounds and Giusti expects to see bass to 20 pounds very soon.

"We are seeing exceptional growth rates and I think we will continue to see the lake developing for another 10 years until it reaches its peak," Giusti said.

The lake's varied aquatic habitat has also been a boon to many other species. Shallow coves and points are favorites for bass success, the lake's deep water offers good action for lake trout, and if you get bored you can always go after striped bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and panfish. Unlike most Southern California lakes, the 100,000 subcatchable rainbow trout stocked initially at DVL have become a breeding population.

What was once the Domenigoni cattle and dairy ranch is now a fishing Shangri La located within two hours of about 12 million people. The lake is accessible from the north by taking Interstate 215 south to the Highway 74 east exit. The highway name will change to Florida Avenue. Continue east on Florida and then right on Sanderson Avenue to Domenigoni Parkway. A left run on Domenigoni to Searl Parkway to a right turn to the lake entrance.

From the south, take Interstate 15 north to Interstate 215 and the Newport Road exit. Take Newport east and it will become Domenigoni Parkway. Continue east to Searl and a right turn at the lake entrance.

If you need that new bass rod, last minute advice or just want a room full of fishing fanatics to swap lies with, make the Last Chance Tackle Shop in Hemet your last stop before heading to the lake. Owner Dan Merchant is also a bass hunter and knows what's working. He stocks the old reliable lures and baits as well as the hot new bling that the eager bass hunter can't wait to try. Don't forget the Marina store that also stocks a good selection of lures and always has the latest information on the catch. A weekly fishing report is posted on the marina website at www.dvmarina.com.