Lodi Lake is city’s crown jewel

By Jana Saastad
News-Sentinel staff writer

Lodi Lake has been called the jewel of the city by its fans for years.

The denizens of Lodi have good cause for bestowing their town with such a superlative term. The scenic body of water and surrounding forest provide a cool oasis amid a dry valley scorched by relentless summer heat.

The fans of Lodi Lake are varied and many. They include fishermen, mothers and children, bicyclists, rowers, eight-to-fivers taking a lunch break and residents from the Rio Las Palmas Senior Home.

Most are from Lodi, but some venture from other towns and cities.

Bau Chenng Lee of Stockton is one of those out-of-towners who enjoy Lodi Lake for its excellent fishing. The lone fisherman finds peace and solitude at the quiet lake, sitting on the grassy bank beneath a shade tree. His fresh catch of the day (a hearty trout) sits by his side in a metal bucket.

For Lee and other Lodi Lake visitors, the lake offers placidity in an otherwise busy world. While Lodi is not as bustling and nerve-jarring as New York City, the residents and workers here face as much stress as their counterparts in the big cities. Good-bye necktie and “bored” meetings, hello Lodi Lake.

Lodians have sought the riparian relief of Lodi Lake since its development in 1934.

The lake, fed by the nearby Mokelumne River, originally took form as a shallow, seasonal lake created by makeshift dams made of brush and wood in the late 19th century.

Woodbridge Dam was built in 1910, thus making the “back water” lake even bigger. The formation of the Woodbridge Irrigation District in 1924 called for more water storage. The lake became larger still.

Finally, in 1934 it became an official city property available for the pleasure of citizens thanks to a generous donation by landowner Louis T. Mason.

Lodians have been taking a jump in the lake ever since — at least during the warmer months.

The lake maintains a low 70s temperature even in the heat of summer. Swimming at Lodi Lake is made easy at “the beach,” which is a swim area clearly marked with buoys and surrounded by a sandy shoreline. The kiddie wading pool is nearby along with clean and comfortable shower and restroom facilities.

If getting wet isn’t your thing, rent a kayak, pedal boat, aqua cycle or canoe for $2 to $4 per half hour for one to four persons. The crafts are available noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

It’s cool to picnic at the lake. A good portion of the surrounding area is saturated with shade thanks to mature oak, elm and walnut trees, to name a few. Four picnic areas are available for your relaxing feast — Hughes Beach, Parson’s Point, Rotary area and the youth area. Each spot is ample with barbecue grills, picnic tables and grass. Other amenities include horse shoe pits and the amphitheater.

Here’s more ideas for a Lodi Lake day:

• Mokelumne River boat tours: Group tours along the scenic Mokelumne are offered May through October. The one-hour tours are available through appointment only at (209) 333-6890.

• Canoe and kayak excursions: Take a guided trip on the Mokelumne on July 28, 8 p.m. to midnight, and Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The trip is free. However, the craft rental is $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.

• Nature walks and Discovery Center: Docents lead nature buffs through the Mokelumne River riparian habitat on an educational and visually pleasing tour. Hikers are likely to run across a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish on the nature trail. The Discovery Center offers educational programs for children and families on the lake area and in the surrounding habitat. Both the center and the nature walk are by appointment only

• Launch a boat: Available daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Gas-powered water craft, trailered or not, cost $4 plus Lodi Lake entrance fee. Nontrailered canoes, rafts, radio controlled boats and electric powered crafts are only charged the entrance fee.

For more information about Lodi Lake, call (209) 333-6742. Park entrance fee is $2, residents and $3, nonresidents.

Upcoming events at the lake:

• May 19: American Business Women Association Car show.

• May 26: Trix Fun Run.

• June 9: Fishing Derby.

• July 4: Oooh Ahhh Festival.

• July 28-29: Swim league championship

• July 22: Lodi Adopt-A-Child Hot Rod & Harley show. Music, barbecue and, of course, hot rods and Harleys at this annual event. All proceeds benefit the Lodi Adopt-a-Child program.

• Aug. 4: Wet’n’Wild. An annual event for youths that lives up to the hype. Lots of water activities including kayaking, swimming, beach dancing and even Sumo wrestling.

• Sept. 22-23: Northern California Outboard Association Boat Races

• Oct. 13-14: Salmon Festival and All-Nations Pow Wow

• TBA: Rolling in the Mud

• TBA: Christmas Tree Run