Laguna Niguel Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Laguna Niguel Lake |
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| Sulphur Creek Reservoir Cañada Salada Arroyo Salada |
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 Laguna Niguel Lake
Location in California
Laguna Niguel Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Laguna Niguel, California |
| Coordinates | 33°32′48″N 117°42′19″W / 33.54667°N 117.70528°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Sulphur Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 44 acres (18 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 190 ft (58 m) |
Laguna Niguel Lake, also known as Sulphur Creek Reservoir, is a cool, human-made lake in Laguna Niguel, California. It's about 44-acre (180,000 m2) big and is a popular spot for fishing and having fun outdoors. The lake was made by the Sulphur Creek Dam, which was finished in 1966.
You can find the lake about 190 feet (58 m) above sea level. It gets its water from two places: Sulphur Creek and a storm drain. You can get to the lake from La Paz Road, which runs along its east side. The entire lake is surrounded by the awesome Laguna Niguel Regional Park. There's even a special island in the lake that's a protected bird sanctuary!
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Fun Things to Do at Laguna Niguel Lake
Laguna Niguel Lake is a great place to visit if you love the outdoors. It's especially popular for fishing. The lake is regularly stocked with different kinds of fish.
What Kind of Fish Can You Catch?
If you enjoy fishing, you're in luck! Laguna Niguel Lake is home to many fish. You can find catfish, bass, bluegill, and trout here. It's a favorite spot for catching rainbow trout, especially from November to April.
The lake used to be famous for stocking really big "Hook-Jaws" trout from Utah. Now, they get their trout from the Mt. Lassen fish hatchery. Sometimes, those famous Utah trout are brought back for stocking!
Fishing Rules You Should Know
If you're 16 years old or older, you'll need a California State fishing license to fish here. All the rules from the Department of Fish and Wildlife apply. You can keep up to 5 trout per fishing trip. If you want to keep more, you need to buy another fishing permit.
The biggest trout ever caught here weighed 15.5 pounds (7.0 kg)! Remember, you can only release trout if you catch them using special barbless hooks or flies.
Exploring Laguna Niguel Regional Park
The lake is part of the larger Laguna Niguel Regional Park. This park offers lots of space to explore and enjoy nature. You can walk along the shoreline and fish in special designated areas. No boats or other watercraft are allowed on the lake.
The park is also used by local groups, like the Laguna Niguel Lightning youth baseball team, for training. Don't forget the bird sanctuary on the island in the lake! It's a safe home for many birds.
Visiting the Lake: What You Need to Know
There's a small fee to enter the park and access the lake. It costs $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. On holidays, the fee is $7. These fees help keep the park and lake beautiful for everyone.
The park is owned by Orange County. They manage the lake and its maintenance. You won't find rentals or bait shops right at the lake anymore. You can check the official website at <ocparks.com> to see the schedule for when they stock the lake with fish.
Park Hours
The park has different operating hours depending on the time of year:
- During daylight saving time (spring and summer), the park is open from 7 AM to 9 PM.
- During standard time (fall and winter), it's open from 7 AM to 6 PM.
Always check the official park website for the most current information before you visit!
