Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 8.44.010 Purpose

[1]

Prior legislation: Ords. 606 and 615.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide rules and regulations for fishing activities on and around Lake Elsinore (hereinafter referred to as "the lake").

(Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

"Bow fishing"

means tackle that must have the arrow's shaft or the point, or both, securely attached by a line to the bow or to a fishing reel (includes crossbow).

"California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations"

means the publication of the same name by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, setting forth the provisions of the California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations related to freshwater fishing.

"City Manager"

means the City Manager of the City of Lake Elsinore or the City Manager's designee.

"Take"

means hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill.

(Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

A. All persons 16 years of age and older must have in their possession a valid California sport fishing license to take any kind of fish from the lake.

B. Every person, while engaged in taking any fish from the lake, shall display a valid sport fishing license by attaching it to their outer clothing at or above the waistline so that it is plainly visible.

(Formerly 8.44.010; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

A. No fish less than the legal minimum size as set forth in the current California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations may be taken from the lake.

B. No person shall retain any fish from the lake in excess of the bag limit set forth in the current California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.

C. Fish caught that do not meet the legal minimum size set forth in the current California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations or are caught in excess of the bag limits set forth in the current California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations shall be immediately released back into the water.

(Formerly 8.44.020; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1060 § I, 2000; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

No person shall fish in restricted areas unless authorized by the City Manager.

(Formerly 8.44.030; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

Fishing at designated public beaches is only allowed between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily. Fishing by boat is permitted from sunrise to sunset, unless authorization has been obtained from the City Manager.

(Formerly 8.44.040; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

A. No person shall fish by means of a seine or cast net unless authorized by the City Manager.

B. All persons shall fish with only one pole, unless they have purchased a second-rod sport fishing validation as provided by California Fish and Game Code Section 7149.45. Anglers in possession of a second-rod sport fishing validation and anglers under 16 years of age may use up to two rods.

(Formerly 8.44.050; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

A. Bow fishing is permitted by vessel upon the surface of the lake, except within wading areas, marinas, and boating channels.

B. Bow fishing by persons walking or wading along the shoreline is permitted only upon that portion of the levee system between Shoreline Zone Identification Sign SS2 to Rome Hill.

C. Bow fishing is restricted to fishing for carp only.

D. Bow fishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any person or domesticated animal outside the vessel of the person bow fishing or adjacent to the person bow fishing by shoreline.

E. Children 15 years of age or younger are required to be accompanied by an adult in order to bow fish.

F. All fish taken by bow fishing shall be removed from the lake and disposed of in a proper manner. Proper disposal of such fish shall include disposal at City-designated fish disposal bins. Disposal of carp into the lake, upon the shoreline of the lake, or in public trashcans other than designated fish disposal bins is prohibited.

G. It is unlawful for any person to carry a bow used for bow fishing in a ready or armed position when not on or in the permitted areas of the lake set forth in subsections A and B of this section. A bow shall be deemed ready or armed unless it shall be in a harmless position incapable of projecting arrows or other dangerous projectiles.

H. The provisions of subsections A through F in this section are subject to waiver by the City for bow fishing events as determined by the City Manager, subject to such events being authorized pursuant to a special event permit as provided in Chapter 5.108 LEMC.

(Formerly 8.44.055; Ord. 1275 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

Cleaning of fish on the water or shoreline is prohibited, unless in a designated cleaning area.

(Formerly 8.44.070; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

Fishing within 25 feet of marked buoyed fish habitat areas is prohibited.

(Formerly 8.44.080; Ord. 1053 § II, 1999; Ord. 1354 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)

Any violation of this chapter shall be assessed administrative fines in the following amounts:

A. An administrative fine not exceeding $250.00 for a first violation.

B. An administrative fine not exceeding $500.00 for a second violation within one year of the first violation.

C. An administrative fine not exceeding $1,000 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.

(Ord. 1530, 3/24/2026)