I visited Lake Hemet over Labor Day weekend. It was very hot - around 95F. The lake is scenic and we went for a short hike along a trail that started out in the parking lot. Visually it was a scenic hike. However, the lake had a foul sewer-like odor that was difficult to ignore. Fishermen caught fish so apparently fish live in it, but they were catching carp - a bottom feeder. Not trout or bass. There is a large campground next to the lake that seemed pretty bare of trees and not nearly as attractive as the Hurkey Creek campground we were staying in, plus the campers were pretty close to the smelly lake. Lake Hemet is pleasant enough for a hike, especially since there was a refreshing breeze even on such a hot day, but is definitely not suitable for swimming.