Lake Sherwood – 1955 – An Angler’s Retreat

Seventy years ago (1955), days were much simpler for Lake Sherwood and Hidden Valley Residents. For one thing, the Mickey Mouse Club hadn’t made it’s debut. And the Los Angeles Dodgers only existed in Brooklyn. Some, today, might even consider they were the only Dodgers.

Lake Sherwood, then, had its

appeal because of the its nearness to the Metropolitan area, the picturesque setting, and the always prevailing chance that a big one will hook onto your line.

The lake was considered a “pretty fair size.”

The pamphlets say that Lake Sherwood has 13 miles of shoreline, but my guess is that half that figure would be nearer right. The lake is down considerably—about four feet at the spillway—but there’s’ still plenty of water for good fishing

At the time, the Lake was owned and maintained by a man named Jim Canterbury—who also set the ground and lake rules, permitting to use up to five and a half horse motors, “but must bring their own” and could pay a $2 launching fee. However, you were only permitted to remove 5 bass, five catfish, 10 bluegill, 10 crappie and 5 rock bass, which were “not too difficult to attain when the fish are hitting.”