FISHING
Fishing at the Lago Santa Margarita
SAMLARC is proud to offer year-round recreational fishing for Members to enjoy. Covering more than 11.5 surface acres and holding more than 31 million gallons, the Lago Santa Margarita offers ample space to host a thriving fishery. The Lake is generally stocked twice per year with a variety of bass, bluegill, catfish, and feeder fish.
Lakeshore Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
For questions, please contact the SAMLARC Beach Club Office at 949-858-1390
SAMLARC Fishing Information
SAMLARC Fishing Policies
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The Lake is owned and stocked by SAMLARC. -
Fishing is restricted to Registered Residents and their guests. -
Fishing is permitted with no more than one (1) pole per person, with no more than two (2) hooks per line. -
The line shall be attended at all times. -
The use of gigs, spears, explosives, firearms, air rifles, nets, traps, or bow and arrows is prohibited. Netting or trapping minnows, mosquito fish, crayfish or turtles is prohibited. -
The bag limit per person, per day, is any combination of fish equaling four (4). A penalty per fish over the limit will be assessed. -
Minimum size limit for largemouth bass and all catfish species is twelve (12) inches. There is no minimum size on all other fish species. -
Fish under the minimum size requirements must be returned to the Lake immediately. Proper handling to minimize disturbance of a fish’s slime coat and rapid return to the water is encouraged for any fish that is not retained. Release undersized or unwanted fish with a minimum of fishing gear attached if the hook cannot be removed easily.
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In order to protect the natural ecological balance of the Lake, the only types of bait permitted are: red worms, night-crawlers, meal worms, terrestrial insects (grasshoppers, crickets, etc.), salmon eggs (fish roe), marshmallows, and catfish stink bait. Goldfish, minnows, shad, shiners or other live finfish baits are prohibited. -
SAMLARC is the only entity allowed to introduce any fish, or wildlife of any kind, into the Lake. Violators will be fined. -
Cleaning of fish, or disposing of fish at the Lake edge, is prohibited, and will result in a fine. -
Trash, rubbish, or other debris must be placed in trash containers around the Lake, and not left on the Lake edge. Violators will be subject to a fine.
Proper Catch & Release Techniques
Please use the following best practices when catching and releasing fish.
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Use heavier gear to reduce fight times. -
Use circle hooks if possible. -
Remove hooks quickly from the fish's mouth. -
Clip the line if the hook is swallowed. -
Use wet hands and release the fish quickly.