Fishing Forecast for Diamond Valley Lake

Fishing at Diamond Valley Lake

Diamond Valley Lake sits near Hemet and has a reputation for big bass. Largemouth are a major draw, but there are also stripers, rainbow trout, catfish and panfish to target. It’s a large reservoir, and fishing it from shore is a different experience from having a boat to explore the deeper water and coves.

For a bank trip, plan on carrying your gear. The fishing area starts roughly a quarter-mile from parking along an unpaved fire road, and the marina describes that approach as moderate to difficult. About 2½ miles of shoreline are open to fishing, so there’s room to look around once you get there. Pack what you can comfortably carry rather than bringing every tackle box you own.

If you’re after catfish, the third cove along the designated fishing shoreline is worth a look. The marina identifies it as the deepest of the shore-fishing coves, with more underwater cover. It’s a starting point, not the only place to try. Water levels can change how the banks look and where you can comfortably set up.

For a boat trip, the marina rents fishing boats as well as pontoons. For shore fishing, you can pay on arrival without a reservation. Check the fees and access information before going: parking, fishing access and shoreline access are separate charges. Swimming isn’t allowed, so plan this as a fishing outing rather than a fish-and-swim day.