RESERVATIONS SYSTEM LAUNCHES SEPT. 3 FOR DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE BOATING, FISHING

A telephone number and Web address have been announced by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for boating and fishing reservations at Diamond Valley Lake, the region's largest freshwater lake and drinking water reservoir near Hemet in southwestern Riverside County. The reservations system will open at 10 a.m. Sept. 3; the lake opens to the public at sunrise on Oct. 3.

Reservations are required for fishing and boating on Diamond Valley Lake due to limited parking space in this first stage of recreational development. There will be 250 spaces for vehicles with boats, and 50 spaces each for vehicles whose occupants will be renting boats and for people who will be fishing from the shoreline.

The toll-free reservations phone is 1-800-590-LAKE (5253). Reservations will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Reservations also can be made on-line, around-the-clock seven days a week, after 10 a.m. Sept. 3. Reservations, along with other recreation-related activities at the lake, are being handled by Urban Park Concessionaires.

“We’re excited that the reservation system will be opening Sept. 3, which brings us a big step closer to our Oct. 3 opening,” said Jill Wicke, Metropolitan’s manager of water system operations. “Based on the response we’ve seen to our required boat inspections, we’re expecting a rush for reservations to fish for those big bass that have been growing for the last five years.”

Reservations can be made between 60 days and 72 hours prior to the selected date of arrival. A maximum of four reservations can be made per call; a maximum of two can be made on-line.

Reservations will require a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express charge card. In making a reservation, people must pay a $7 entrance fee per vehicle, and, if they are bringing a boat, a $6 boat launch fee. In addition, there is a $5 reservation fee. When they arrive at the lake, they will pay a $3 per person fishing access fee, whether they are fishing from a boat or the shore.

“The fishing access fees will be used to pay for maintaining the world-class fishery at Diamond Valley Lake,” Wicke said.

People can also reserve a bass boat or a pontoon boat when making a reservation. They will pay the entrance, reservations and fishing acess fees listed above, and will be required to pay a $100 deposit (credit card only) at the time of use. Fees are $85 per half day for bass boats and $110 per half-day for eight-person pontoon boats. Full-day rentals are also available.

“I’d like to remind people that privately owned boats must have a Metropolitan inspection sticker before they arrive,” Wicke said. Boat inspections are provided daily at the Diamond Valley Lake and Lake Skinner. “Also, all anglers over age 16 must have state fishing licenses, which will be available on-site.”

Click here for information on boating regulations and boat inspections.

Reservations can be changed once. To reschedule a reservation, phone (800) 590-LAKE at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled arrival date, and have the reservation number ready. A $5 change fee will be assessed.