Has anyone fished Hansen Dam area? I don't mean the concrete stocked hole in the ground, or the 2 ponds right next to the 210. Rather the much bigger body of water closer to the dam (you can see if from the freeway).

I was told it is illegal to fish there. I have also heard that there are some big bass in there. I have heard rumors of people float tubing it, and doing quite well.

There are fish in there, all nothern strain though so when you say big fish if your talking ten plus pounders you'll be disapointed. As foar as if its legal to fish theres a sign that says government property no shooting, dumping, or swimming. It doesn't say no fishing but I've had guys say they get chased by the parks department.
keep fishin'

I think I'm going down there today and give it another try, the few times I've went I have only caught about twelve inchers. I have always gone in the mourning and the guys I know who fish there go at dusk so I'll give that a shot. I have seen some quality fish swim by down there.

About three years ago I fished this lake regularly.I did well there but at the time I didnt know alot of techniques for bass, so the best I did was a 3 pounder. Mostly I just caught bluegills, small bass and occasionally catfish. But the officials started patroling the area more,especially on weekends, so I stoped coming. It was a good lake because of the light fishing pressure and I dont think I was ever skunked there.

How did you get down there? Did you park at the Rec. center, and walk down the wash?

Next time anyone goes, I would be interested in going. It will help with "the fish'n itch".

Has anyone tubed here before?

Went down sunday in the after noon and into dusk. Bluegill and small bass were every where and a little annoying because they were so agressive. The bluegill would tug on a brush hog that was as long as they were. Caught a few dink bass on a shallow crank. There were some great weed mats but I didn't have my frog gear, I'll make sure to bring it next time. At dusk the surface was alive with small bass hitting the flys and some big boys were crashing on them. I got blown up on a popper but didn't get a hookup. Frog fishing sounds promising for the next trip down there.
keep fishin'

How do you get into the lake and did u tube? Thanks!

I park at the rec center lot and walk down the wash usually because they close the park gate at sunset I believe. I have never float tubed there but I do have one. I don't know if I would want to be seen float tubing down there, some people have told me that the parks department people will take your gear if they catch you fishing. Others have told me that they don't ever bother them at all. If I see them comming they won't see me thats for sure. Its not worth the risk, I usually don't fish where they can see me anyway. If I had to say I don't think they care too much because there are people swimming down there and the signs say no swimming and they don't seem to get harassed. Good luck down there!

I just looked it up online and it says it is availble for fishing, so I dont think you have to worry. It looks like some people are joking about getting there fishing equipment taken or they got conned.

Here is the link I found:

http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/hansen.htm

You are making a reference to the city park. This is a concrete hole that is stocked with trout and catfish. This is definitely not what I am talking about. If you have ever seen that place, you will know why-->shoulder-to-shoulder fishing, not my idea of fun.

I am talking about the much bigger pond/lake to the east of it. It is in the wash right by the dam. You can actually see it from the 210 fwy.

Check out the following link...you can see the smaller City pond to the upper left, and the much bigger to the right.

http://www.terraserver.com/image.asp?ulx=922249.2815999999&uly=3802449.5120000006&lrx=928954.8816&lry=3795743.912&file_name=la_basin&provider_id=105

(I tried to get a jpeg of the image, but it was too large to post here. Sorry about the huge link!)

I'm not sure but I think that body of water back there is the old Hansen Dam lake . That lake was pretty good back in the late 70's and early 80's . That place was loaded with all of the main types of fish.They had some pretty big fish in there .I now mainly fish saltwater ,but Old Hansen lake was the first and last place I got spooled by a fish .Your right about the city park lake . Not only does it get crowded , but if they don't stock then it's as dead as it gets . If I fish it I only fish it from my tube .The Dfg hasn't stock it with Cats this year . They posted that they did a couple of weeks ago , but then they retracted it .If you guys go down to the old lake for the dusk bite ,watch your back. That area isn't the best spot to be after dark.

Peace,
FishjunkeyOG