From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lake Mission Viejo
Lake Mission Viejo
Lake Mission Viejo Oso Reservoir, which spills downstream and into Mission
Viejo in wet years.
Beaches
There are two main beaches, Playa del Norte and Playa
del Este, with a few smaller, private beaches. The larger
beaches are both protected by the Lake Mission Viejo
Lifeguards. Both beaches contain playgrounds, horseshoe
pits, barbecues and picnic areas, snack bars and fishing
areas.
Location Mission Viejo, California Playa del Norte (or North Beach)
Coordinates 33°37′36″N 117°38′53″W / 33.62667°N More commonly referred to as North Beach, Playa del
117.64806°W / 33.62667; Norte is the largest beach at Lake Mission Viejo. It con-
-117.64806Coordinates: 33°37′36″N tains the largest sandy beach area, volleyball courts, a
117°38′53″W / 33.62667°N 117.64806°W / full basketball court, and a club house available to rent.
33.62667; -117.64806
All of the administration buildings are located at Playa
Lake type reservoir del Norte. Almost all rentals and boat launching is locat-
ed at Playa del Norte. Playa del Norte is open all year
Basin United States
countries round. Food services are provided by Tony’s at Lake Mis-
sion Viejo during the summer season as well as the cater-
Max. length 1 mile ing of all concerts and events at the lake.
Average 30 ft (9.1 m) Playa del Este (Or East Beach)
depth
More commonly referred to as East Beach, Playa del Este
Max. depth 70 ft is the second largest beach at Lake Mission Viejo. It con-
Surface 636 ft (194 m) tains a basketball half court and has Kayaks and Pedal
elevation Boats available for rent. Playa del Este is open daily dur-
ing summer and on weekends during the fall and spring.
East Beach also has a snack bar operated by Tony’s at
Lake Mission Viejo is a reservoir entirely within Mission
Lake Mission Viejo that is open during the summer sea-
Viejo, in Orange County in the U.S. state of California.
son.
About 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Santiago Peak, a peak in
the Santa Ana Mountains, the reservoir is formed by an Swimmer’s Itch
earthfill dam across the canyon of Oso Creek, which is During spring and some times of the summer, swimmer’s
part of the Trabuco Creek and San Juan Creek drainage itch, also called cercarial dermatitis appear. It is a mi-
basin. The lake is not fed by urban runoff, it is maintained croscopic pest that lives on hosts like birds and snails by
so as to be safe for contact. Two man-made beaches are biting into their skin. Once it bites a human, it dies but
located on the north and east ends of the lake. The lake is leaves an irritated area or bump like a mosquito bite. The
annually stocked with fish. itching will be gone as well as the bump in a few days.
Located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, Swimmer’s itch can be prevented by showering thor-
the lake is surrounded primarily by private residential oughly after swimming.
(single-family and condominium) communities, which
makes access to the lake more difficult to the public. The
primary marina is located in the northwesternmost arm Lifeguards
of the reservoir. Upstream of Lake Mission Viejo is Upper Both Playa del Norte and Playa del Este are watched over
by the Lake Mission Viejo Lifeguards. The lifeguard head-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lake Mission Viejo
quarters is located at Playa del Norte. There are three fishing boats, registered private boats, and in the desig-
lifeguard towers on Playa Del Norte, with one floating nated fishing areas. You are not allowed to fish in the
tower outside the swim area. Playa Del Este has two life- swimming area. Although catch & release fishing is en-
guard towers with one floating tower. There is a staff of couraged, all trout caught, up to a daily bag limit of 4,
approximately 50 lifeguards in the summer season, and must be kept and not released back into the lake.
approximately 25 in the off-season. Lake Mission Viejo
lifeguards have three 17’ Boston Whaler’s, each outfitted Fishing Events
with scuba gear, first aid, oxygen therapy, and equip- Every winter 100 tagged trout are released into the lake.
ment for patient immobilization, with one 17’ Boston When one is caught, take the tag off and bring it to the
Whaler Dive boat for the SCUBA team, and a lifeguard front desk with the weight of the fish. A wide range of
pickup truck. The lifeguard department is commanded prizes are available from bait to rods.
by a lifeguard captain, four lifeguard officers, three part
time supervisors, and BBB. Fishing Records
April 1, 2006, George Coniglio caught a 19 lbs 12 oz large-
Boating mouth bass. It is the biggest bass legally caught in the
state - and perhaps country - this year and ranks 13th
Lake Mission Viejo has a wide range of boats available to
largest all-time nationwide. The fish measured 28 inches
rent at Playa del Norte. The boats available to rent in-
long with a 26-inch girth.[1]
clude:
• Single & double Kayaks
• 2 Seat Pedal Boats
Lake Use
• 4 Seat Pedal Boats You must be a local resident to get on the lake, but non-
• 15’ Row Boats residents are allowed to walk around the lake anytime,
• 15’ Electric Boats but not on the beaches.
• 14’ Sailboat/Capri Sailboats
• Party Boats
Electric outboard motor and batteries are also available
References
to rent. [1] Orange County Register
• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names
Information System: Lake Mission Viejo
Fishing
Lake Mission Viejo is home to many fish. Some of the fish
inhabiting the lake are Bass, Catfish, Trout, and Sunfish,
External links
such as Bluegill and Black Crappie. Trout are restocked • Lake Mission Viejo Association
annually during the winter time as they rarely survive • Lake Mission Viejo Lifeguards
the warm summers. You are allowed to fish from rental
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Mission_Viejo&oldid=431555747"
Categories:
• Landforms of Orange County, California
• Reservoirs in California
• Buildings and structures in Orange County, California
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