Orange County is known more for its sandy beaches and ocean access than as a freshwater fishing destination. But tucked into the foothills just north of Irvine’s suburban sprawl sits Irvine Lake, an approximately 750-acre reservoir that serves as the largest body of freshwater in Orange County.
The lake’s primary purpose is water storage, but it’s also become a popular destination for shoreline fishing — the only recreational use allowed at the lake. Camping, boating and swimming aren’t permitted, and there also aren’t any hiking trails.
But now, the lake is about to sit empty for the next five years, as the local water district upgrades aging infrastructure and prepares the lake for more intense and frequent storms in the future…