Irvine Lake is open for shoreline fishing Fri. – Sun. 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Irvine Lake is the only lake in Orange County where no fishing license is required.
Irvine Lake Trout Stocking Schedule
Trout are stocked regularly during the winter months and catfish are stocked in the summer months. See the trout stocking schedule or the catfish stocking schedule for exact dates.
What did you catch? We’d love hear and let everyone know! Send details (fish, bait, line etc.) to us.
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Irvine Lake Directions
Address: 4621 E. Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, CA 92676
From 55 Freeway: Go East on CHAPMAN AVE which turns into E SANTIAGO RD.
Turn RIGHT on E SANTIAGO CANYON RD.
Turn LEFT BLUE DIAMOND RD, follow 1 mile, parking will be on right
From 261 Toll Road: Go East on E SANTIAGO RD.
Turn RIGHT on E SANTIAGO CANYON RD.
Turn LEFT BLUE DIAMOND RD, follow 1 mile, parking will be on right
Irvine Lake Rules & Information
- Park Hours: Friday-Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gates open to parking at 7:00 a.m. Do not line up on Santiago Canyon Road prior. It is unsafe, and you will be subject to all applicable traffic laws.
- Phone: 714-649-9111
- Email: fishing@jamesevents.com
- Parking: $5 (no charge for fishing)
- No reservations required.
- Not Permitted:
- Alcohol
- Dogs
- RC Boats & Drones
- No boats, float tubes or other recreational activities available.
- Amplified music
- Camping
- Hiking/Biking
- Types of Fish: Bass, catfish, carp, bluegill, crappie. The lake is not stocked.
- No license required. California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations regarding fish limits apply.
- Additionally, the following fishing regulations apply:
- Five fish limit.
- Bass is catch-and-release only.
- Catfish larger than 24 inches must be released.
- One rod per person maximum.
- Approved baits only: worms, mackerel, dough baits, or artificial lures. No live bait allowed (except worms).
- Additionally, the following fishing regulations apply:
- Bass (catch-and-release), catfish, carp, bluegill, crappie and sturgeon are in the lake. The lake will not be stocked.
- Shoreline fishing only.
- Bait and light snacks available to purchase.
- No access to Irvine Ranch Open Space.
- Please do not stop or park anywhere along Santiago Canyon Road. The entrance gate will not open until 7 a.m. Anyone stopped or parked along Santiago Canyon Road prior to the opening will be subject to citation. Thank you for your cooperation with regards to the safety of everyone on the road. Please plan your drive accordingly.
Maps of Irvine Lake
Download a pdf map of Irvine Lake.
In March 2016, Irvine Lake was closed due to a conflict between Orange County and Serrano Water District regarding recreation rights. The area was once a popular spot for fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation, but became a fenced off and overgrown haven for water birds. Amenities at Irvine Lake included a kids fishing lagoon, archery, boat rentals, volleyball, camping, and more.
At one point, Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner took control of negotiations to reach a deal to restore fishing and other recreational rights stating that, “Political infighting has stalled the usage of this lake, but thanks to the Irvine Company’s generous move, the County is finally in a position with Irvine Lake, Serrano Water District, and Irvine Ranch to bring back fishing for public enjoyment.”
The generous move Wagner was referring to was the Irvine Company’s donation of 29 lake-front acres of land to Orange County on June 11, 2019. Thanks to the Irvine Company, the lake was scheduled to re-open for fishing as early as the middle of July 2019. All parties worked together to develop a plan for a one-year shoreline fishing agreement. Additionally, a board of supervisors vote determined whether or not the owner of the neighboring RV Storage lot and special events venue, Gary James, would be approved to manage fishing operations and a bait shop for the duration of the one-year agreement.
The current agreement only allows fishing from the shore. Negotiations for additional recreational activities, including boating, will take place at a later date with the hopes of eventually opening the area to camping and hiking. Because Irvine Lake stores potable water used to supply the cities of Villa Park and Orange, bodily contact is not allowed.
Before gates opened for the summer, the county needed to do a general sprucing-up of the facility. A few items on the agenda included clearing overgrown weeds, making repairs to cracked asphalt and damaged roads, and installing lighting, fences, and signage.
For now, the one-year plan for Irvine Lake includes a $4500 monthly payment by the County to Serrano Water District for fishing rights. Additional discussions will determine how to split up parking and other fees, and whether or not the RV storage will remain open.
Hope for a long-term agreement to keep the lake open has been restored and local fisherman are looking forward to frequenting the shores of this favorite fishing spot.
Irvine Lake is located at 4621 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
An Irvine Lake Timeline
- August 2019 – Irvine Lake reopened on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
- August 17, 2019 – Irvine Lake reopens to on-shore fishing.
- June 2019 – Parties reached an agreement to reopen Irvine Lake to shoreline fishing only.
- 2016 to May 2019 – Irvine Park remains closed with negotiations at a standstill.
- March 1, 2016 – Irvine Lake closes.
- February 28, 2016 – Last day of fishing
- 2016 – Orange County notifies Serrano Water District of termination of recreational rights as of March 31, 2016.
- 2014 – 2106 – Orange County and Serrano Water District negotiate; unable to reach an agreement regarding Irvine Lake rights.
- 2015 – Boating and boat rentals banned in response to another drowning. Lake remains open for shoreline fishing only.
- 2014 – Irvine Company gifts their 75% of Irvine Lake Rights to Orange County.
- 2012 – Private boats banned, life jackets required after $1.5 million settlement over accidental drownings of two men.
- 1941 – Irvine Lake open to the public for fishing.