Im going three stars because it was actually clean when i went there. Im not going to attack the owner with this review because im sure what they do is not easy ... and its a dirty job. There were fish jumping around me like ive never seen...catching flies or something but they wanted nothing to do with me... not even a nibble which is strange. But the place is huge, very peaceful read more

We paid $38 an adult and $25 for a 3 year old who obviously won't be able to fish. But fine, it's a business and I understand the cost to run a place like this. However, the place was incredibly filthy. Trash everywhere from chip bag, to cigarette butts, to burnt fireworks, to broken umbrellas and metal piping. Please do not go here and support this place because it is an absolute disappointment. Drive to Irvine lake or Big Bear would be 1000 times better than this shit hole. read more

Santa Ana River Lakes - Trash everywhere!! - Fishing Near Me - Anaheim, California

$25 per person at the gate. NO ONE CAUGHT ANY FISH ON THE WHOLE LAKE!! They claim to stock it daily. No. Stock it with what? It's just hot! No shade trees or sand. Just dirt and rocks and sun!! I'm so glad we had chairs and a big beach umbrella in the trunk! There were people renting the big flat style boat to go out to the middle of the lake, excited they were going to get some fish out there! Nothing. I felt bad for them, $110 to rent it all for nothing. HERE IS THE REAL KICKER!! It was something similar to the Wild Alaska show... there were people in the office hooping, woot woot*-cheering and high fiving one another! What the heck! Posing! Holding a huge fish by the gills, ironically his buddy was snapping pictures, and taking selfies so newcomers coming in the gate would see them. Gees. It was fake!! They most likely caught that fish somewhere else or bought it at the Asian market. Wow. We left, and I made the comment to the office guy that we never even got a nibble. So disappointed. He said we most likely came at the wrong time of the day. (Whatever, dude)!! They sure did take everyone's admission fees, boat rental money, sold crappy $6 bait and $12 weights. They couldn't care less that they were ripping people off that just wanted to go out and catch a couple/few fish to take home. Good luck to everyone, there's got to be a lake that actually has fish to catch!! Let me know if you know of one. We want to go! read more

Santa Ana River Lakes - If You Want To Catch FISH, Don't Go Here!! - Fishing Near Me - Anaheim, California

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I took my 8 year old son here twice on a Saturday and Sunday morning without a single bite. They post videos on their social media showing people catching tons of fishes but it's a scam. read more

It is what it is. Can't really complain about my lack of skill, because the guy next to us caught 10 trout, while we caught nothing. The only thing I wish they change was to lower the cost, but the cost seems to balance and makes sure that people don't overcrowd the spot. For around $40 per adult. You could do worse in terms of spending money for entertainment. If you go in when they open at 6 am or whatever and stay til 4, it's not bad on a per hourly cost. You'd spend more going to a bar or bowling or whatever. Go earlier for a better chance of catching fish. It's simple logic. The longer others catch fish, means your chances of catching them drop significantly. read more

The lake is a close to home getaway for a lot of people. The management team is very welcoming and helpful. The tackle shop is one of the best on site shop I've been to and I fish more than the average bear. Although there are a few things that could be better. This place is one of my favorite fishing holes. I know I'm not the only fisherman that feels that way, evidence in how early people show up to get in line. Also on a clear day you can beat the view of the city and mountains in the distance. Anyway Tight-lines everyone! read more

Santa Ana River Lakes - View from the lake - Fishing Near Me - Anaheim, California

Pros: - You can camp here overnight. - If you're anywhere in LA, it's very close. If you're in OC, it's practically in your backyard. - They stock this lake pretty often. When I was there, they had stocked it with catfish. - There's a small snack shop at the entrance. Cons: - Pretty expensive rates and you're not guaranteed to catch a fish, which is kind of obvious. - Can get really crowded on holiday weekends. - It's not a big lake at all, so careful when you cast because you'll get tied up in some other angler's line. - Pretty dirty. I'm not sure how often they clean the area, but there's like trash strewn about. Yes, there are garbage cans here and there, but some are dilapidated and full. They really need to be more diligent about cleaning up here if they're going to charge premium rates. - Water looks kind of murky and suspect. I'm sure it's fine. Just don't drink it. - Porta potties. Yeah and those aren't clean at all. - Not much shade at all. Bring a tent and umbrellas. - You're not really "camping," so to speak. You won't find solitude or a haven to watch animal life. You will see ducks and other fowl here, though. But you'll quickly be reminded that you're not in some lake in a forest when the guy camped out 50 yards away is blasting Tupac at 11 in the evening. Anyway, you can still have a good time here. Just temper your expectations. read more

Santa Ana River Lakes - Fishing Near Me - Anaheim, California

One Star - Extremely Disappointing Experience I had a very poor experience at Santa Ana Fishing Lakes. First, the cost: $85 per person just for Friday night camping is outrageous for what you actually get. The restroom situation was unacceptable. The porta-potties were filthy, smelled horrible, and had trash on the floor. This wasn't just "well-used" -- it was clearly not being cleaned or maintained properly, especially considering how much they charge. As for the fishing, it was a complete bust. We were told the lake had been stocked the day before, yet we didn't get a single bite. We stayed all night and all day. We only saw maybe one or two people catch a fish the entire time. For a paid fishing lake that claims recent stocking, that's extremely questionable. Between the high price, poor sanitation, and almost nonexistent fishing action, the experience felt misleading. At the very least, expectations were not met at all. Buyer beware. I won't be coming back, and I definitely wouldn't recommend this place to anyone expecting clean facilities or decent fishing. read more

The fishing place had no fish and was super dirty. I didn't even get a bite. YOU SHOULD NEVER COME HERE

Over priced for small to no catfish. Unsanitary and portapotties are not respected, most likely due to unsatisfied customers. Staff is ok.

Charging 38 to catch no fish spoons fish magnets spinners power bait nothing lol. They did have geese tho read more

Can't say much about the lake because I never really finished there. I only brought my three-year-old to the angler Pond. I will say that the pond is perfect for first timers or kids. I also think that the staff is really friendly. Definitely help you out as far as pictures and what not but the downfall is it's really expensive. It was $12 a pound 3 pound fish almost $40 right there. I caught three fish. It came out to almost $80. So I enjoy taking my son, but it's too expensive for me so I won't be going back. read more

May 26, 2026. My last time coming here. Not one cat fish bite today. The place was fished out No bites at Chris pond, no bites at all top spots of the big lake. Water was very strained , trash everywhere, The portable toilets were dirty and smelly. If you can't make fishing on Thursday night, or 24 hour fishing Friday, Saturday don't go there. This is not worth the money. read more

A fun little getaway from the city life. You pay entrance fee and can fish 5 fish for the day. Not guaranteed though so be prepared to sit all day and maybe not even get a bite. With that said, with some fishing knowledge and experience and persistence, this place has provided me a lot of good days with my dad over the years. read more

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Man this is a difficult review but I've been going to SARL and Corona Lake when it was open just went this weekend Sat/Sun overnight me and my 8 year old granddaughter $153, just to get in. Had to buy bar at the snack bar and 2 candy bars $32 , like I said been going for DECADES, but that's it got to call it, I'd rather fight the crowds at county lakes for $14 entry fee and no overnighters than pay over 100 bucks , I wish the owner nothing but the best read more

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME HERE Everything about this overpriced scam of a place can change. It is way over priced, dirty as, staff is rude and lack even semi quality customer service skills, I've been fishing for years and rather make a longer drive to lakes where I pay less and actively catch fish. This is really just a poorly maintained mudhole within the city. They claim to restock weekly, Ive gone during the week when its less crowded and the few people there fishing left.empty handed as well. Anytime someone has asked me about this place I make sure they stay away and direct them to way nicer lakes where they actually catch fosh with their families. MY ADVICE TO THE OWNERS OF THIS PLACE IS STOP SCAMMING PEOPLE AND THIER KIDS FOR MONEY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF CATCHING FISH, CLEAN UP THIS MUDHOLE OF TRASH, DEAD FISH AND THE DISGUSTING PORTA POTTIES AND PUSH ALL THE STAFF TO DO BETTER. read more

I have been fishing for many years, and I have to say that my visit to Santa Ana River Lakes felt like nothing short of a scam. I used all types of power bait, mice tails, drop shot, jigs, ZERO bites. And that goes for everyone around me. There were a lot of people back to back and NO ONE caught a fish. And for the price it felt like a rip off. $38 a person. What a joke. Porter potties were a joke and filthy. What a waste of money and time. If I saw anyone catching i wouldn't write this review. Owner should be ashamed. Ripping people off like that. Never again. read more

No way the stock the fish for no one to be catching . Water level extremely low. Trash everywhere, bathroom not clean. At the price being paid , there should at least have a fish to give you to take home if you don't catch or ticket is bail until you catch a fish or discount the next visit. Anything! I truly believe they do not stock as much fish as they claim . They stock the fish Thursday and Saturday they is not more fish? I want my money back or a discount on next visit .for the next visit read more

Santa Ana River Lakes - Water level extremely low - Fishing Near Me - Anaheim, California

Awesome experience just have a day of relaxing sipping a brew rods in water waiting for fish to strike and after the catch grill it right on the spot good times and vibes as always. read more

Caught this 9-pound catfish last week. This catfish season just keeps getting better and better!! They are stocked the lake today and I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow. Keep up the good work SARL!! read more

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I went here last week and I love to fish. This place looks like it doesn't regularly get cleaned up. One of the Johnny on the Job outhouses had a rotting hamburger patty with maggots on it inside. It was $70ish for me and my dad to get in and we were there for 4 and a half hours and did not get a single bite. That was at the big lake, then we went to the Catfish Pond for another hour and didn't get any bites at all. I would rate this place a 1 out of 5 stars because for the price, the area should be clean, the bathrooms should be clean, and there should actually be fish in the ponds. This place is pretty whack. read more

Santa Ana River Lakes - Fishing Near Me - Anaheim, California

Gave this place like four chances and haven't caught anything from low grade equipment to high grade equipment. The good thing is that its a chill place and everyone is nice also they have a store that sells equipment and beer but the whole aspect of going fishing is to catch fish read more

Ok, here's My review as I'm still here fishing. I read all the negative bad reviews, I came as a father wanting to spend time with my young adult kids. Regardless if we caught fish or not. Although I'm sure they were expecting fish. From what I see, the place looked clean to me & the porta potty next to me was clean ( didn't smell or full of poop ) but we been here since 630am & with 5 poles we have not even had a nibble. I don't know if everyone around left or relocated somewhere else as it's on 1230pm. I don't know anywhere else where you can do a bomb fire @6am as it's cold & bring a grill to barbecue & pull car rt up to the water rather then park in a parking lot & carry everything for 1/2 a block to water. $38 person. For me this is just spending quality time, so for me I can't put a price. If there's a next time I'll be better prepared with a lot of food & drinks. Coming back to my post 3hrs later. It was time to quit without any bites. I'd say a good amount of people left way before us. Changing my rating to a 2 star read more

OMG OMG OMG my twins had such a great time! This was the second time for them fishing, ever, and instead of being bored out of their minds, we caught 4 fish in 4 minute increments...and had an absolute blast. Super nice ppl working there, easy parking and easy to find. New memories were made and I was a hero to twin 8 year-olds! And we even learned a lot about fishing from the great volunteers! read more

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Very nice people and it is amazing it also is clean and well taken care of I recommend it to fisher men and women

Prices are way too high and I know how to fish and I don't catch anything at your lake and everybody around me is not catching anything as well and improve on that read more

Not sure who the owners are but I believe it's a wife and husband. Husband is a skinny white/mexican guy who himself looks dirty so I can see why the lake is never clean. I never catch anything but I sometimes go by my self just to get away for the day and over night camp. This place those keeps getting worse and worse. So dirty. Trash everywhere. Like I said the husband looks pretty dirty himself so I can only imagine what the inside of their house looks like. Porter potty's are always dirty, dead fish around and just trash every where. Inside and outside of the water. I wish the owners took pride in what they did. read more

Over priced. The lake itself is dirty. Imagine a mud hole in the middle of the city. Don't waste your time or money. The shoreline is filthy, left over fishing line from the previous fisherman's birds nest or tangle. Every other cast was a snag on old fishing line left in the water. Portable bathrooms, were horrible. Feces stacked up to the same level as the seat, those things need to be emptied and cleaned. I didn't see anyone catch anything the whole day. Broken beer bottles and trash along the shoreline. Should have believed all the negative posts about this place. STAY AWAY........... read more

The fishing there is okay used to be better back in the days but extremely expensive very unaffordable

Trash place. Not a single person in the vicinity of our fishing spot caught a thing. Better off fishing at a local park. Probably more fish. read more

Terrible experience here. We arrived thinking it was $37 per car. Which is already pretty high but then they sold us it was per person fishing which is totally ridiculous. We were already there so we set everything up and we didn't get a single bite all day. Just an overall crappy place to fish especially when you can go to a pier for free and don't have to look at dirt all day. Please do not waste your time here. There are plenty of better places around the area that don't suck as bad. read more

If I can give no stars I would!! Place supposedly gets stocked once a week. How is it possible to come and not get a single bite . The few times that I've been here only ONE person around the lake has caught something, how is that possible if it gets stocked "regularly" . 100 rods in the water around the lake and just ONE person catching something doesn't sound like "regularly" stocked LOL save your money and go to a public lake where you will at least get a bite and excitement. This place is only good to catch a tan! read more

I say this is probably a pricey to go fishing, but I get it, it's a way for the lake to keep running. We paid $32 for each adult and if you get skunked, you can go to their kiddy pool area for fish and pay $9 lb. Overall it's a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle of LA and just spend some time outdoors. read more

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Well, you've all seen my other reviews..i tell it as it is. First and foremost, the lake is dirty, yucky, nasty, full of trash. Can the Health Department please visit this place and do a testing of the water? For example, i was there last weekend (5/25/24) and noticed an abundance of trash in Chris' pond. Next, they claimed, for the Memorial Day weekend, that they double stocked the lake. Really? Cuz I was there for an overnighter and i counted only 3 catches (not mine or my friends) along the road between Chris' pond and the main lake. I really believe they fake their stocking videos. Can the city audit their claims of stocking? read more

Needs up grades with the price keeps going up fn 24oz of beer is $10 come on and some staff are asshole when you ask questions about fishing etc. read more

I went to Santa Ana Lake during the Christmas & New Year weekend... I was there for six hours each time after going two times ... not even a bite or nibble ... I now feel this place is overrated with not stocking the amount of fish as they claim ... What a waste of money$$$ read more

2nd weekend in a row and skunked. 30+ people around us and nobody caught. Think they don't really stock weekly. Overpriced

This place is all hype...too many anglers are allowed to fish. Not enough space. Better off fishing your local park lake.

Very fun if you know how to fish there All tho not very affordable read more

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We come here every year. Always have a nice time. I do have to say that for the price they should do a better job of cleaning up. Lots of trash everywhere. read more