Jenks Lake

First thing first, before you head to Jenks Lake
Use this coordinate on your GPS
N 34°09.927’
W116°53.052’
Or go to this website:
The address that’s listed on some search engine display as 34 701 Mill Creek Rd. Mentone Ca. or Yucaipa Ca. is incorrect ‚
following this route will end at a Ranger Station House. You’re here no problem.
One of the helpful friendly Ranger will direct you to the correct destination and provide you with traditional paper map. Can’t read the old fashion paper map ?
Follow this direction: From the Ranger Station parking lot
take a Right, continue on highway 38 for another 25 miles,
make a Right into Jenks Lake West. Drive another 2 miles to the parking lot .
Parking Fee is $ 5 per car, or $ 20 per bus,
CASH ONLY.
Parking lot to picnic site /​lake, there are 32 steps of stairs before you head to your destination. Or take the cement paved road down a slight hill .
Restroom is a hole in the ground with a raised toilet seat, toilet paper provided, no sink or running water. Bring your own soap and water to wash your hands. The attending Ranger on Sunday May 15, 2016 maintained the restroom fairly clean. He was friendly and informative.
Picknic sites with tables and grill, charcoal only or propane stove. No fire wood.
Hiking trail is pretty easy around the lake. My three girls 4 – 6 yrs. & puppy did half way. Going to Jenks Lake trail some sections are tough, some path can be rough step 80° incline. Watch your kids and pets going off track can be a very steep drop off.
Fishing, no license required, rainbow trout 5 per person, unfortunately my boys didn’t have any luck. Can fish near the river or on the newly build dock. Hand powered small boats are welcome in the water. No motorized boats allowed. No swimming, you probably wouldn’t want to, water looks murky.

We had 6 wonderful days here last week… what a sweet surprise! Took an RV, hiked, cooked, played games, repeat. Camp hosts were MOST helpful and wonderful, helped us change our site from 31 to 32 because 32 has lovely shade. 31 is lovely but not shaded. Spotty cell coverage was perfect for family engagement, yet could still check in. Clean bathrooms, showers, and grounds. The hosts even rake the dirt on the site grounds between families! Mostly families and full of nice people. The dogs loved it, too. We are checking out Hanna Flats next month, but definitely will be back to Jenks.

Absolutely love this little gem! My boyfriend and I love driving up to big bear to camp and spend time. We always drove past the Jenks Lake sign and we went on a little spur of the moment mini fishing adventure. We decided to stop at Jenks. I completely fell in love!
It’s so secluded and peaceful. It is a very small lake so you can hear other people from across the lake. From our experiences, there was one time that a loud obnoxious group was there (there’s always one, right?). For the most part, the beauty of the lake on a clear day was enough to forget about your worries :)
My boyfriend was fly fishing and I was fishing on a rig. The first time there we went to the far end of the lake away from the «main entry.» Definitely a lot of moss and growing water plants so you had to find the right «hole» to cast your line into. We had a couple of bites but just nibbles.
The hot ticket is to fish right off the dock! There are salmon and a couple of HUGE bass. They are so fickle with bait so bring power bait, night crawlers, night crawlers in garlic and even your good ol’ kastmaster.

I was at the lake the other day it was awesome very quiet re
Lazing fishing was great I caught a lot of fish it’s a nice day trip I’m planing for another one soon

What do I say about a lake. …
Lets start with the drive up the mountain. Its a beautiful drive and not too far up the mountain. about the time you start to say «Where the heck is Jenks Lake Road» it shows up.
There is a little shack and you pay your five bucks and then find a parking spot. The guy we talked to at the shack was super nice. He shared that the lake was stocked a few days prior and he also shared what the bass and trout were biting.
If you have a lot of stuff or a lot of kids I would suggest a wagon. They have a steps leading to the lake as well as a ramp. So a wagon is perfect to get to your spot.
The lake isn’t huge but it is a nice size so if you want to walk to the far side of the lake with a bunch of stuff in your arms you might be grumpy when you find your spot.
After fishing for a few hours on the shore we moved to the newly remodeled pier. It was crowded on the pier with a lot of know it alls but if you can ignore them then it will be fun to fish off the pier. the pier is beautiful and the wood smells wonderful.
The facilities are ok. its basically a glorified port o potty. at least they have a place to pee.
All in all its beautiful up there. you dont have to deal with Big Bear its, close to Redlands and the air is fresh and in May there was still a little snow on the mountain peaks. Its a great place to get away for the afternoon.

This Lake gets stocked with trout and if you know what you’re doing you’ll definitely catch. It’s a nice Lake with nice views and fresh air. The only bfsf pay the I can imagen people complain about is that you need a fishing license and pay a $ 5 fee at the parking lot entrance. Other than that I love this place.

My two friends and I went to Jenks Lake today and we have found that it lives up to it’s generous reputation.
In two hours we caught our limit of beautiful, delicious, pan-​sized trout and oh man, we are happy as fishermen can be.
We used «Power Bait» peach-​colored, on a weighed line, with 4 lb. test leader to keep the rig light.
I definitely recommend Jenks Lake to all my friends.
Fish and be happy…

This lake is tiny and so are the fish. Fail!
Spent the entire day here canoeing and fishing. Yes, it is pretty, but the serene setting was spoiled by obnoxiously loud teenagers «kayaking» and snobby fishermen that like to brag about catching 12 teeny-​weeny fishies. YAAAWN. Yep, not impressed!

Jenks Lake is a pretty lake up in the San Bernardino mountains, about halfway up to Big Bear City.
I went up last weekend and spent it relaxing and fishing. Its a lovely little lake surrounded by mountains, beatiful pine trees, etc. There are Mallard Ducks floating and flying around. People often float tube or kayak. The fishing was pretty good, flies, lures, and power bait seemed the way to go. I got two trout that were ¾lb and lost like five. The DFG stock the lake on every month or so with rainbow trout.
I will defintely go back. The area is gorgeous, there is plenty of camping, and a little town called Angeles Oaks is 15 miles down the road and has gas, food, housing, bait, etc. I would reccommend filling up before you go up the mountain as the price of gas in that town is $ 5.10+ O_​o. Its also the ONLY gas in a 30 mile+radius of the lake. BTW the restauraunt there is in the country style, and has good chili, and steak sammiches. The vegetable soup is yummy as well.
There are cabins up there for about 70 – 75 $ a night. If you pay cash, I understand that you get a 10% discount.
From the Web:
Jenks Lake is a small mountain lake of 10 surface acres. It is open year-​round from sunrise to sunset. There are picnic tables, hiking trails and a swim beach for the kids. Parking is $ 5 per vehicle. There are restrooms but no consessions. Nearest supplies are in Angelus Oaks. There and numerous campgrounds located along Jenks Lake Rd. There is No Smoking allowed anywhere around the lake. Also, this an active bear area. Please use caution and do not disturb the wildlife.
Directions:
Jenks Lake is located in the beautiful San Bernadino mountains, near the city of Redlands. From I-​10 at Redlands exit on Orange St. and go North to Lugonia St. Turn Right on Lugonia, it turns into Mentone and then turns into Hwy 38 into the mountains towards Big Bear. When you pass the town of Angelus Oaks, travel approx. 5.5 miles to Jenks Lake Rd — W. Turn Right and travel 2.3 miles. Turn left at the entrance to the lake.