What’s in Lake Arrowhead and Is It Safe to Swim?

Lake Arrowhead is nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, a popular destination for people in the area and cities like Los Angeles. However, many people don’t know about this gorgeous lake because it is a private lake and due to its proximity to Big Bear Lake, which receives a lot more traffic. As a result, Lake Arrowhead has a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of recreational activities to enjoy. But what’s in Lake Arrowhead, and is it safe to swim?

Fish in Lake Arrowhead

Fishing on Lake Arrowhead is a relaxing experience. The best method when fishing on this private lake is by water on a boat, float tube, canoe, or any other ALA-approved vessel. But please note that you still require a valid fishing license at Lake Arrowhead despite the private access, and guests must follow the California fishing regulations. Fish found in this lake include:

Small and Largemouth Bass

While this lake contains both small and largemouth bass, the smallmouths are more abundant, which is rare for Southern California lakes. Many anglers from all over the country flock to this lake for its trout and smallmouth bass.

Green Sunfish

These beautiful little sunfish are most common in small, warm streams with aquatic vegetation and turbid, mud-bottom pools. However, they also occur in ponds or large lakes, primarily in shallow, weedy areas so that they can hide from larger predators.

Black Crappie

Black crappies typically travel in schools, which makes them easier to catch. The best time to fish for black crappies at Lake Arrowhead is during spring while they are spawning. Anglers on the lake find a lot of success fishing in shallow to medium water. These crappies respond best to spinners, jigs, and live bait.

Rainbow Trout

Lake Arrowhead is stocked with rainbow trout every year, making it a popular destination for anglers seeking these beautiful fish. Rainbow trout derive their name from the distinct pink or red lateral line running down the length of their bodies. As a result, they are often referred to as redband trout in MacLeod, Columbia, or the Great basins of the western United States.

Amur Carp

Amur carp, also known as grass carp, are endemic to eastern Asia. Therefore, they are a staple in Chinese cuisine. However, as time passed, these carp made their way to the West, becoming popular in the United Kingdom and the USA’s waters. They are highly adaptable and thrive in any body of water that contains vegetation. For example, they are common in lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers.

Other Creatures Inhabiting Lake Arrowhead

Fish are not the only species in Lake Arrowhead. In fact, there are numerous species that inhabit this lake, including:

Clark’s Grebe

The Clark grebe is a North American waterbird once mistaken for a Western grebe, which it resembles in behavior, size, and range. It’s uncommon to find these birds away from aquatic habitats. However, breeding birds are mainly found in freshwater lakes, while non-breeding birds inhabit both freshwater and saltwater coasts. Furthermore, these waterbirds need to be in close proximity to suitable tree cover, which they use for nesting. Their distribution ranges from British Columbia and Saskatchewan southwards all the way to Mexico. Clark’s grebe tries to avoid the cold, so they only occur in the central U.S. and Canada during their breeding season in the summer.

American White Pelican

These majestic birds migrate to remote inland lakes in North America before heading south to the Pacific Coast of the United States, Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, and Central America. Many residents spot American white pelicans during their migration in the central and western United States. These large birds inhabit wetlands, shallow freshwater lakes, and the edges of lakes and rivers. However, they move to inlets, coastal bays, and estuaries during winter, resting on sandbars and foraging in shallow water.

Mallard

The mallard is among the most common wild duck species in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and Northern Central America. Furthermore, they are often sighted throughout Alaska and parts of Canada during the summer. Mallards mainly nest in Canada’s prairie provinces and inhabit shallow bodies of fresh water on marshes, lakes, and flooded fields. A fun fact about these ducks is groups on land are called sords, but while in flight, they are called a flock.

Red-spotted Toad

Red-spotted toads inhabit areas throughout Baja California, from southern Nevada to southwest Kansas, south to Hidalgo, Mexico. These toads are often found in and around rocky streams and arroyos. They adapt perfectly to their surroundings. For example, red-spotted toads can flatten their bodies and wedge themselves between narrow rock crevices. Sightings of these toads are rare because they are nocturnal. However, they are active in the early mornings and late afternoons, once the heat has subsided.

American Bullfrog 

One of Lake Arrowhead’s residents is the American bullfrog. These highly aquatic frogs prefer inhabiting shallow waters, like the edges of lakes and ponds or calm waters of streams and rivers. However, during the colder months, American bullfrogs hibernate in litter and mud at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers and streams. Their natural range spans from the Atlantic coast to Wisconsin, Nova Scotia to central Florida, and across the Great Plains to the Rockies.

Is it Safe to Swim in Lake Arrowhead?

While Lake Arrowhead is a private lake, and its pristine waters are restricted to local homeowners and their guests. But there are many picturesque inns, hotels, and resorts that allow access to the lake. The one-mile perimeter around Lake Arrowood is private land known as Arrowhead Woods, loved for its exclusivity and amazing scenery. For example, if you are found using the lake without a permit or unaccompanied by a resident, it could result in a massive fine. But, if you are invited for a weekend by a homeowner or decide to book accommodation, you can take advantage of this lake’s pristine beaches and turquoise waters.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Jo_Diongzon