The most exclusive fishing permit in the Northern San Joaquin Valley is available only to City of Lathrop residents.
It’s a requirement to fish in most of the roughly two dozen manmade lakes that will eventually grace the 15,001-home River Islands at Lathrop planned community. Several lakes are off limits to fishing and are so posted.
Fishing is strictly catch and release in the lakes that are under the purview of Reclamation District 2062.
Fishing has become a popular past-time with many of the 10,000 plus residents so far residing on the southeastern most reclaimed Delta island formally known as Stewart Tract.
The lakes are also proving popular with users of paddle boats, kayaks, row boats and paddle boards that access the lakes via docks from the backyard of their homes that line the lakes.
No swimming is allowed.
The lakes are an engineering marvel of sorts.
Given Stewart Tract is flat, just a few feet above sea level, and located along the San Joaquin River on the edge of the Delta, it has a high water table.
They serve as runoff basins from storms as well as a way of naturally dewatering the ground.
Below the lake surfaces along the edge is an expansive field of gravel that helps clean debris and sentiments from runoff.
The lakes go as deep as 40 feet.
They are interconnected by pipes.
The water, which is non-potable, is used to irrigate landscaping throughout River Islands.
And since river water is involved, there are fish.
That said, River Islands has planted fish that feast on mosquito larvae as part of its passive and effective vector control effort.
Again, fishing is for residents of River Islands and other City of Lathrop residents.
The required permits are available at the River Islands Welcome Center open daily from noon to 5 p.m.
Proof of residency is required as is the taking of a photograph for use on the permit.
River Islands security routinely checks anglers for permits.
Speaking of lakes, the largest lake in River Islands at 10 acres now has home lots for sale backing up to it.
It is a private lake exclusively for residents of the 900-home Del Webb Lakeview community for those 55 years and older.
The lake will have docks for paddle boats and kayaks.
Roughly 10 percent of all homes in the Del Webb community will be along the lake.
Universal access to
18-mile island loop
Lakes aside, there is universal access to the 18-mile levee loop of River Islands.
The are currently paved segments. Eventually the entire loop will be paved.
And thanks to bridge crossing over the three access major points to the development, you won’t have to deal with vehicle traffic except for one point where it crosses Stewart Road.
The loops is already popular with island residents and others for walking, running, and bicycling.
Given the majority of the “trail” is not paved per se, the best way to bicycle it is via a mountain bike.
You can actually access the loop on bicycle by going to the western edge of Yosemite Avenue, turning on Guthmiller that ends with a Caltrans bicycle path that runs along the 120 Bypass and then beneath Interstate 5 before connecting with Mathney Road near Mossdale Park.
Take the bridge across the river via Manthey Road, turn right on Stewart Road, and then connect with the loop trail after crossing the train tracks.
River Islands President Susan Dell’Osso is confident one of the most popular destinations by 2026 for couples and families bicycling from Manteca will be the Redwood Cafe that will hug the levee overlooking where the football stadium is being built this year near the town center.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com