Diamond Valley Lake reopens to private boats after more than year-long suspension

DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE, Calif. (KABC) -- One of the best fishing destinations in Southern California is now open again to private boats, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

For the first time in more than a year, private boats were allowed to drive down the boat ramp and skim the waters of Diamond Valley Lake near Temecula. The low water levels had prompted the suspension of boat launches.

Thanks to a good winter, the water levels were acceptable and the lake reopened. Bob Muir with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California said not only is it good news for people who fish, but it's one of the big sources of drinking water in the region.

"The lake today is 20 feet from where it was in March," he said. "If we weren't in a drought, we'd be totally submerged underwater right now."

But despite the good news, the district said the lake is still 96 feet below normal levels. Still, fishermen took the reopening in stride.

"I think people are very anxious to find out what a year off for the fish means for anglers and how much action they're going to get in the lake," Muir said.