I asked the LATC group for ideas on where I could find lake swims in the area (for those not quite ready for ocean but wanting open water exposure). Here is what I have so far and I hope to update is as more ideas and info comes in.

Bonelli Lake

http://www.bonellipark.org/Swim Beach.html

Belmont Shores, Long Beach There is a group that swims at 2nd street in Long Bch/Belmont Shores on the weekends Los Alamitos Bay (Long Beach). It's not a lake, but it is a protected open water area (sort of a lagoon or marina). The area is lined with buoys for swimmers, rarely has a current and best of all, no ocean waves and no ocean wildlife. It is the ultimate open water swimming experience that most simulates a lake.

https://sites.google.com/site/longbeachnaplesislandswims/training

Lake Mission Viejo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Mission_Viejo

Castaic Lake (From Memorial Day to Labor Day)

http://www.castaiclake.com/rules_and_regs.html

Thanks to the LATC members who replied to me and assisted in the preparation of this info

William Robinson