Free Fishing at Lake Cahuilla for Veterans

Free Fishing and Memorial Day Weekend Admission at Lake Cahuilla for Veterans and Service Members

LA QUINTA – To thank and honor all who have served our country, Riverside County is offering free admission and fishing at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park during Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30.

Free admission is open to active-duty military personnel, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard and federal and state reservists, and all other guests in the vehicle. Free entry also covers all day use activities such as fishing. To qualify, veterans need to present valid proof of military service.

For the general public, Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will have a $20 per vehicle entry fee on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.

Those fishing need a state fishing license, required for anyone 16 and older. The state fishing license is not sold at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park but can be purchased at retailers.

The lake will be stocked with catfish a few days prior to Memorial Day.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, the first in the county park system named in honor of veterans, is located at 58075 Jefferson Street, La Quinta, CA 92253. The phone number for more information is 760-564-4712.

“Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is a beautiful place to spend the day, to walk, hike, go fishing, or horseback riding, and just relax and enjoy nature,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We welcome veterans, their families and the community to enjoy Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park this Memorial Day weekend.”

In August 2017, Lake Cahuilla Regional Park was renamed to Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in honor of veterans. The renaming measure included free entry to the park for veterans and service members every Memorial Day weekend (Saturday-Monday) and Veterans Day (every November 11).

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is operated by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District via a lease with the Coachella Valley Water District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

The park features flags of each military branch, dedication plaques, lighting and landscaping pathways.