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Sep 23, 2022
Fishing near Riverside, CA

Located along the banks of the Santa Ana River and about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, the city of Riverside, CA, is a great base for travelers wanting to check out the best fishing spots in the region. If you are traveling around in your 2022 Ford Maverick and are looking for new destinations to try your luck with some local fish species, here are three nearby spots you should check out.

1. Big Bear Lake

Covering a surface area of a little under 3,000 acres in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is a sprawling artificial reservoir that attracts anglers and water sports enthusiasts from all over southern California. Home to healthy populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, catfish, bluegill, and sunfish, this place offers great opportunities for both pier and boat fishing.

Big Bear Lake is located about 50 miles northeast of downtown Riverside and can be reached in a little over one hour by car along routes CA-330 and CA-18. Once you make your way here, some of the best fishing piers are located along the southern shores of the lake, particularly around the Boulder Bay and Eagle Point areas. This water reservoir is also open for leisure boating, kayaking, canoeing, and water skiing.

2. Lake Perris

An artificial reservoir constructed in the early 1970s, Lake Perris is one of the most popular spots for freshwater game fishing in the region, with large populations of largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, bluegill, rainbow trout, and carp. Covering a surface area of about 2,350 acres, this body of water is a well-known recreational destination among southern California residents during the summer months.

Located just 20 miles southeast of downtown Riverside, Lake Perris State Recreation Area can be reached in less than half an hour by car along route CA-60. This nature reserve is open year-round between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, making it a wonderful destination to spend a day away from the urban bustle. Besides fishing, this place is a great spot for picnicking, hiking, wildlife watching, and mountain biking.

3. Diamond Valley Lake

Created in the early 2000s and covering a surface area of about 4,500 acres, Diamond Valley Lake is one of the largest and newest artificial reservoirs in southern California. Open year-round and offering great opportunities for boating and fishing, this body of water hosts large populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, and crappie. Located 35 miles southeast of Riverside, this place can be reached in about 45 minutes by car.

If you are looking for a new or used vehicle to go on memorable fishing trips in California and beyond, visit us today at Fritts Ford! Check out our models, ask for a test drive, and take home a shiny new Ford.