Lake Anderson Information |
Anderson dam and reservoir was named for Leroy Anderson, the key founder and first president of the Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation District. It was built in 1950, on a 500-acre dairy and cattle ranch along Coyote Creek purchased from the estate of John Cochran and his wife, Aphelia Farmington. Anderson Reservoir is the largest man-made lake in Santa Clara County. The reservoir can store 89,073 acre-feet of water. Its surface area is 1,245 acres.
Shoreline picnic and barbecue facilities are provided at the Woodchopper's picnic area, which can be accessed by boat or vehicle at the south end of the lake. First-come, first-served family picnic areas are available all year along Coyote Creek below Anderson Dam. Two group picnic areas are available by reservation. Fishing is permitted year-round in Anderson Lake, and during fishing season in Coyote Creek (April - November).
Hikers, runners, bicyclists, and skaters can enjoy the multiple use paved trail which follows Coyote Creek north for 15 miles to Coyote Hellyer County Park. This asphalt path is relatively flat and meanders along the creek underneath oak, cottonwood and sycamore trees. An equestrian staging area with trailer parking, picnic facilities, and a horse trough heads the 8-mile horse trail which begins at Burnett Avenue and runs north along the Coyote Creek generally parallel to the paved trail. Rest areas and emergency call boxes are provided, but water is not available.
A 1-mile self-guided nature trail is also located along Coyote Creek and provides insight to the riparian habitat used by the abundant wildlife in the area. The trail runs along the creek between Malaguerra and Burnett Avenues. Trail guides are located at both ends of the trail. |
Are Jet Skis permitted on Lake Anderson? Yes
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Can you Swim in Lake Anderson? No |
What is the Water Quality at Lake Anderson? Clear |
Are Boat Docks permitted at Lake Anderson? No |
Are Power Boats permitted at Lake Anderson? Yes |
What are the Nearby Cities to Lake Anderson? Morgan Hill, San Jose |
What is the Closest Airport to Lake Anderson? San Jose International Airport 29.43 miles |
What are the Building restrictions at Lake Anderson? CC&R's
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| Climate - Climate in the San Francisco Bay area varies greatly with elevation and the amount of coastal influence. Areas with more coastal influence experience moderate temperatures year round with fog likely from June through mid-August. |
Lake Anderson
Fishing Information |
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Full facilities, boat ramp. Take Highway 101 south to Cochrane east and the base of the dam. Lake Anderson is a large reservoir with boat access and something unique--a self-sustaining bass fishery. Even though the state doesn't stock bass or trout here, there is still great bass fishing to be had at the north end of the lake. Try a plastic worm or your own proven bass lure.
Fishing Notes:
Largemouth - Fishing is good year round on Anderson Reservoir with the best action in spring and fall. Flip with jigs, toss spinnerbaits and split shot with plastic worms in spring. Fish top water lures early and late or worms and jigs during the day in summer and fall. During the winter months spooning and jiging in deep water are the best methods.
Crappie - Use mini-jigs and minnows around brush piles, rock piles and trees.
Channel Catfish - Fishing is best in summer and fall or during the winter when storms put heavy flows into the lake. The top baits are mackerel, clams and chicken livers. Fish Coyote Creek inlet and coves.
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Lake Anderson
Boating Information |
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Anderson Reservoir, a 7-mile long, 1,250 surface acre lake, provides opportunities for power and non-power boating and fishing. Personal watercraft (jet-skis) are not allowed.
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Lake Anderson
Camping Information |
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Anderson Lake County Park, 19245 Malaguerra Avenue , Morgan Hill, CA, 95037, Phone: 408-779-3634
The park is open year-round from 8 AM until sunset. Lake use fees are collected daily. Vehicle entry fees are collected at the Anderson Dam year-round. Fees are also required for group picnic reservations. Launch and entry fees are posted at the Dam entrance.
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Lake Anderson
Local Area Businesses |
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Located just south of San Jose, Morgan Hill and Gilroy has plenty of open space and a peaceful, country feel. With a mostly middle class professional population, Morgan Hill and Gilroy are home to many young families and has a variety of recreational opportunities for them to take advantage of. Lake Anderson is close by as are three golf courses, several regional parks, tennis, softball, soccer, and a myriad of other activates. Weather is usually accommodating with winter temperatures averaging about 58° and summertime temperatures averaging about 83°.
One of Santa Clara County’s fastest growing cities, most of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, homes were built within the last 30 years. There are many brand new housing developments. Many residents make a 1/2-hour to 1 hour commute to Silicon Valley regions such as San Jose, Santa Clara or Sunnyvale but several major employers, including Abbott Labs, Media Arts and Anritsu, have recently located to the area offering more job opportunities locally. Downtown Morgan Hill and Gilroy has been renovated and is the site of a summer music and Garlic Festival, occasional the communities have street dances and holiday parades. Crime in the city is low. Schools rank in the 60th to 80th percentile and they have strong family support.
Morgan Hill prides its small town feel while housing well-known manufacturing and research firms. Morgan Hill offers a unique combination of climate, resources, points of interests and ethnic diversity provide an excellent spot for both residents and those that chose to visit.
Visitors, can enjoy Morgan Hill's beautiful downtown, which includes antique, boutique and specialty stores. Morgan Hill also offers a wide variety of fine restaurants. Like many California towns, Morgan Hill is known throughout the Valley for its superb wineries. There are also beautiful lakes for hiking, camping and boating nearby.
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