How to get there: Located in the rolling and remote hills of Japatul Valley, about four miles south of Alpine. Take I-8 to Tavern Road, go south. Tavern Road becomes Japatul Road. Go past the Sycuan Truck Trail (stay on Japatul) three-quarters of a mile to the parking lot and staging area.

Schedule: Open daily, sunrise to sunset, for shoreline fishing only.

Fish species: Largemouth bass to 16 pounds, channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish and bullheads. Limits are five for bass, 10 for channel and bullhead catfish, and no limit for bluegill and red-ear sunfish. Catch-and-release is practiced here by most, but not mandatory.

Critters: Don't be surprised if you kick up a covey of quail when walking or startle a blue heron working the shoreline. And from the San Diego Birding Pages, there's this from the “Japatul Loop,” which includes a side-trip hike down to Loveland. The birders list the following as possible sightings around Loveland: Western and Clark's grebes, double-crested cormorants, coots and ruddy ducks are prevalent, along with an occasional great blue heron or great egret. Red-winged blackbirds and great-tailed grackles can be heard chirping, and the deciduous habitat holds Lawrence's and lesser goldfinches, black phoebes, common yellowthroats and song sparrows. The nearby oaks usually are pretty reliable for Hutton's vireos, “red-shafted” flickers, and Nuttall's woodpeckers. The surrounding chaparral can have Anna's and Costa's hummingbirds (plus Rufous and Allen's in migration), blue-gray gnatcatcher, and sage sparrow year-round; black-chinned sparrow in summer; and fox sparrow and hermit thrush in winter. You can also hike part of the California Riding and Hiking Trail next to the lake.

Concessions: None.

Access: Five-mile stretch of the east shore is open to fishing. Southeast side is an easy to moderate hike to the buoy line and the end of the fishing zone, but the water is up compared to most years, so the trek is a long one to get to a crossing spot. The west side is steep and dangerous and after about a quarter-mile requires scampering over rocks and brush-whacking. Watch where you put your hands. There are snakes. Still, it's a great place for those who want to get away from the crowds to hike and fish in peace. No alcohol, fires, glass bottles or containers, dogs, firearms or cleaning of fish at the lake.

Fishing tip: Those who know will visit here in late summer and early fall for the topwater action on bass. Catfish will take a fly-lined chunk of mackerel, or try it on the bottom on a sliding sinker if they're not taking it on the drop. Night crawlers and crawdads work very well here. Back in the east end, where the Sweetwater River enters, try casting across into shallow water and dragging a bait or artificial lure like a Senko or plastic worm from shallow to the deeper channel. It's a good technique this time of year.

Permits: No fees. California fishing license required for all fishermen 16 and older.

Boat rentals: None. Put a “no” in front of the the following: camping, boats, floats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, wading, any water contact, alcoholic beverages, fires or smoking, glass bottles and containers, dogs, firearms, fish cleaning, bowfishing.

Camping: None. Lake Jennings County Campground is about nine miles away.

Information: Call (619) 422-8395, ext. 2222.

– ED ZIERALSKI