Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir Fishing in San Mateo County, California
San Mateo Area

This group of lakes is one of only a few single examples of a reservoir closed to the public in the entire United States. Crystal Springs and the adjoining lakes are a private park and recreational area for the exclusive use of San Francisco Water Department employees - and many of them are privileged to live on or near the shore. In fact, they have a home with a rear balcony right over the water! Just use Google Earth or other aerial viewers to see the roads and houses they are free to use. One time several years ago, I was "guerilla" fishing in the lake when I observed two men fishing in an isolated cove on the far side of the lake. When they were finished, they walked a few hundred feet up into the tree line and got into a truck and drove away. Note that every possible entrance is locked and gated. Let's get real. If ever there were justification for the use of the laws of eminent domain, this is it! Contact your local government officials and demand access to this incredible area. And feel free to call the San Francisco Water Department executive officers and slam them over their selfish and unjustified private control over this land. After all, haven't they done enough by perpetuating the terrible loss of the Hetch Hetchy Valley?

Both Lower and Upper Crystal Spring Reservoirs are illegal to fish. Even possessing fishing equipment on or near the shoreline will be fined if caught.