Adding to Diamond Valley Lake’s reputation as a premier fishery, the first batch of up to 15,000 brown trout were introduced today at Metropolitan Water District’s lake near Hemet in southwest Riverside County.

“Diamond Valley Lake has developed into one of the leading year-round trout fishing sites in the western United States,” said Jill Wicke, Metropolitan’s manager in charge of DVL recreation.  “With the assistance of the California Department of Fish and Game, the lake is well-maintained to create excellent conditions for trout development.”

Fish growth rates at the 4,500-acre lake have surpassed expectations, Wicke said.  Although Diamond Valley has been open to the public only three years, the DVL trout record is already 11.3 pounds.

“We have found the lake’s depth allows trout to remain in the reservoir for longer periods of time, which produces bigger, stronger specimens that give anglers the kind of fight they want,” Wicke said.

The brown trout planted at Diamond Valley came from CDFG’s Mohave River hatchery, with fish ranging in size from 5 to 15 fish per pound.  The introduction arrives as regular trout plants resume at Diamond Valley Lake.  Both Metropolitan and CDFG, using revenues collected through a fishing access fee, plan regular trout plants that will further enhance an already successful trout fishing experience.

Metropolitan began planting trout last Thursday (Oct. 19), as 2,400 pounds of trout were delivered from the Mt. Lassen Trout Farm outside Redding in Northern California.  Future plants are scheduled Nov. 2, 16 and 30, as well as Dec. 14 and 28.  Additional trout plants, which are expected to continue into 2007, will be announced in the near future.

Mike Giusti, the CDFG associate biologist overseeing Diamond Valley’s fishery, said the department’s stocking program further enhances DVL’s trout experience.

“About 100,000 rainbow trout from the Mohave River hatchery will be brought to the lake in two waves.  The first will occur Thursday (Oct. 26), with about 75,000 to 85,000 fish.  The remainder will be planted in November,” said Giusti, adding that he expects more brown trout to be planted in 2007.

Along with rainbow and brown trout, Diamond Valley Lake is home to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern bluegill, southeastern bluegill, red-ear sunfish and catfish.
For more information on the lake and its fishing, phone 1-800-590-LAKE or visit www.dvlake.com.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 18 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage, and other resource-management programs.