Lake Cahuilla Stocked with Thousands of Trout

Riverside County Stocks Trout at Lake Cahuilla

LA QUINTA – Some 1,000 pounds of trout, more than typical, were delivered to Lake Cahuilla this week setting the stage for some quality trout fishing at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park.

This was the first restock since September 2020. The delay in stocking was due to several factors. The primary factor was a bacterial infection that impacted trout stocking throughout the southwestern area of the U.S. The county recently entered into a contract with a new vendor to supply fish at the county’s recreational lakes: Lake Cahuilla, Lake Skinner and Rancho Jurupa.

The trout restocking was able to move forward as a result of successful lease negotiations with the Coachella Valley Water District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, that extended the county’s lease through March 2022.

Another stocking is expected on Feb. 8 and on consecutive Tuesdays through March 23. A full stocking schedule can be found on the Web page for the county park by clicking here.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez will visit the park at 11 a.m. Saturday to greet anglers and fishing and park advocates.

“Riverside County is delighted to restock trout in Lake Cahuilla, made possible with the decision of the Coachella Valley Water District Board of Directors to extend our lease for Lake Cahuilla for one year,” Perez said in a prepared statement. “It has been some time coming, and we welcome the resumption of trout fishing at Lake Cahuilla. We invite families to come out, use precautions such as wearing masks and remaining physically distanced from others, and enjoy a day at our Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park.”

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District welcomes visitors to the park, located at 58-075 Jefferson Street in La Quinta.  The admission fee for fishing is $10 per adult and $8 per child.

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

For visitor safety, physical distancing and face coverings when around others are required. Every visitor will receive quagga mussel prevention materials from the county. No swimming or boating is allowed on the lake. Fishing equipment will be inspected upon entry, and any fishing bait brought into the park shall be in unopened and unused containers.

Admission fees to the park directly contribute to the cost of fish stocking at the lake.

The county park, the first in the county park system named in honor of veterans, is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The phone number for more information is 760-564-4712.

 

Caption – Nick Vela holds up what he caught at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park Tuesday, Feb. 2. Photo courtesy of Nick Vela.