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▶️ Fishing San Diego (Lower Otay Reservoir) 🎣 🐟
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Catching Bass/Bluegill/Crappie at Lower Otay Lake

Summary

Lake Details

Fish Types

Gear & Tackle

Directions

Lower Otay Lake Fishing Guide 🎣

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Kayak Bed Fishing Bass on Lower Otay Lake

Lower Otay Lake Fishing Guide 🎣, in Chula Vista, California, is a fantastic spot for fishing and outdoor fun. Known for its bass fishing, the lake is home to largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie, making it great for anglers of all skill levels. You can fish from the shore, the dock, or a boat, and rentals are available if you want to explore more of the water. The lake has a peaceful vibe, surrounded by rolling hills and open skies, making it a relaxing place to spend the day. There are also picnic areas, so you can enjoy lunch with a view after a morning of fishing. Whether you’re aiming for a trophy catch or just enjoying the scenery, Lower Otay Lake is a friendly and fun destination for a day of fishing, family outings, or just unwinding in nature. 🎣 🐟

Lake Details

Lower Otay Lake Fishing Guide 🎣 Highlights 🎣 🐟 :

  • Fish Species: The lake is home to largemouth bass, bluegill, black and white crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, and bullhead. Notably, the lake has produced largemouth bass exceeding 10 pounds and blue catfish approaching 100 pounds.
  • Fishing Regulations: A valid California fishing license is required for anglers aged 16 and older. The minimum size limit for bass is 12 inches. Anglers are advised to consult the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Freshwater Sport regulations and adhere to city regulations, which are strictly enforced.
  • Boating and Rentals: Boating is permitted, with rentals available for rowboats, motorboats, and kayaks. Private boats can be launched for a fee. The boat ramp and rental services are situated on the west shore.
  • Amenities: The lake features picnic areas with barbecues and picnic tables. Visitors can bring self-contained gas barbecues for use in designated areas. Ground fires, glass containers, and camping are not allowed.
  • Operating Hours: Lower Otay Lake is open for fishing and boating from sunrise to sunset on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The lake is open on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, but closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
YouTube video
Bass Fishing with Evan at Lower Otay Lakes

Top Fish at Lower Otay Lake 🐟

Largemouth Bass Fishing Guide

Largemouth Bass

White Crappie Fishing Guide

Crappie

Bluegill Fishing Guide

Bluegill

Channel Catfish Fishing Guide

Channel Catfish

Lake Information

  • Name/Location:
    Lake Lower Otay
  • Address:
    10710 Scripps Lake Drive
    San Diego, CA 92131
  • County: San Diego County
  • Hours:
  • Open daily – sunrise to sunset
    Holiday Schedule:
  • Open – Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day
  • Closed – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
  • Website:
  • Sandiego.gov
  • Rockymountainrec.com
  • Sdparks.org
  • Lake Brochure
  • Fishing License: Required for persons 16 years and older.

Lake Amenities

  • Water activities: Boating, kayaking, canoeing, float tubing, and fishing 
  • Picnic areas: 48 picnic tables and 18 barbecues 
  • Hiking: A paved 5-mile trail around the lake 
  • Biking: A 4.92-mile paved service road around the lake 
  • Birdwatching: A great place to see many types of birds, including pelicans, cormorants, mallards, and ruddy ducks 
  • Boat rentals: Boats can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis 
  • Restrooms: Restrooms are available 
  • Leashed dogs: Leashed dogs are permitted on the service road, but must stay at least 50 feet from the water 

Nearby Lakes

Fish Types

Bass Fishing

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Bass:
    Fishing along the shoreline and inlets is great for catching Bass. Look for spots with vegetation, fallen branches, and rocks where these fish like to hide.
  • Bass Fishing Tips:
    Bass thrive in warmer waters and are most active during the spring and summer
  • Baits: Live shad, crayfish, and plastic worms
  • Lures: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures
  • Tackle: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with 8-12 lb test line

Baits & Lures

TRUSCEND Pre-Rigged Soft Fishing Lures

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Gary Yamamoto Senko Soft Plastic Worms

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SteelShad Lipless Crankbait

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TRUSCEND Swimming Jigging Fishing Spinners

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Bass Drop Shot Rigs

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Crappie Fishing

White Crappie Fishing Guide S

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Slow and Steady Retrieve
    Cast your lure near structures or drop-offs and retrieve it at a slow, consistent pace to mimic the movement of a baitfish.
  • Depth Adjustment
    Set your bobber so that the bait is suspended just above the crappie’s likely holding depth, typically near brush piles or drop-offs.
  • Lightly Weighted Rig
    Use a small split shot to keep your bait at the desired depth while allowing natural movement, which can attract crappie.
  • Minnow and Hook Setup
    Hook a live minnow just below the dorsal fin and let it swim naturally under the bobber, drawing crappie’s attention.
  • Casting Near Cover
    Cast your bobber and bait close to submerged structures like brush piles, fallen trees, or docks, where crappie often congregate.
  • Use of Scented Baits
    Pair your bobber rig with scented soft plastics or bait, which can enhance attraction in low-visibility water.

Best Bait & Lures

Yum Ribbontail Grub Curly Tail Swim Bait

Berkley PowerBait Power Grubs Fishing Soft Bai

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Crappie Baits Plastics Jig Heads Kit Shad Minnow Fishing Lures For Crappie Panfish Bluegill

rappie Baits Plastics Jig Heads Kit

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Dovesun Crappie Lures Kit Fishing Soft Plastic Lures Crappie Walleye Trout Bass Fishing Baits

Dovesun Crappie Lures Kit

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Crappie Jigs Lures Kit

Crappie Jigs and Lures Kit

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Truscend Pre Rigged Soft Fishing Lures

TRUSCEND Pre-Rigged Soft Fishing Lures

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Berkley Gulp Alive Minnow Fishing Soft Bait

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnow Fishing Soft Bait

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Berkley Powerbait Crappie Nibbles Dough Fishing Bait

Berkley PowerBait Crappie Nibbles Dough Fishing Bait

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Berkley Gulp! Maggot

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Bluegill Fishing

Bluegill Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Bluegill:
    Bluegill are commonly found in the shallow areas of the lake, especially around docks and vegetation.
  • Bluegil Fishing Tips:
    They are active throughout the day, particularly in the summer.
  • Baits: Worms, crickets, and small pieces of bread
  • Lures: Tiny jigs and small spinners
  • Tackle: Ultra-light spinning gear with 2-4 lb test line

Baits & Lures

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles Fishing Bait

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Berkley Gulp! Maggot 

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Berkley Gulp! Killer Crawler Fishing Soft Bait

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Berkley Berkley PowerBait Power Honey Worm

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YUM Ribbontail Grub Curly Tail Swim Fishing Lure

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CatFish Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Catfish:
    Channel Catfish are bottom dwellers and can be found in the deeper, murkier parts of the lake.
  • Catfish Fishing Tips:
    Catfish are popular among night anglers. They are most active after sunset.
  • Baits: Stink bait, chicken liver, and cut bait
  • Lures: Not commonly used, as they prefer natural baits
  • Tackle: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with 12-20 lb test line

Baits & Lures

Wild Cat Pre-Molded Catfish Bait

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Catfish Charlie Dip Bait Cheese

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Wild Cat Blood Dip Bait

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Berkley PowerBait Catfish Bait Chunks Fishing Dough

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Pro-Cure Catfish Magic Chicken Liver Cure

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Gear & Tackle

HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

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ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

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PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

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Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

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KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

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KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

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Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

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KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

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Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

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TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

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Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

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TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

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Booms Fishing R2 Hook Remover Squeeze

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iBobber portable fish depth finder

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Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

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HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

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Shakespeare Catch More Fish Panfish Tackle Box Kit

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Shakespeare Catch More Fish Catfish Tackle Box Kit

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PLUSINNO Bass Fishing Lures Baits Tackle

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PLUSINNO Fishing Lures Baits Tackle

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Crappie Magnet Tackle Pack Kit

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TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

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Harmony Fishing Bass Razor Weedless Hooks

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Panfish Magnet Kit

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Fishing Hooks Bobbers Freshwater Tackle Kit

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PLUSINNO 264/397pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

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Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

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Eagle Claw Trout Fishing Kit

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Shakespeare Kids Hide-A-Hook Bobber

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Smaky Fishing Tackle Kit

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HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

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ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

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PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

Purchase on Amazon →

Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

Purchase on Amazon →

Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

iBobber portable fish depth finder

Purchase on Amazon →

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

Purchase on Amazon →

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

Purchase on Amazon →

HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

Purchase on Amazon →

ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

Purchase on Amazon →

PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

Purchase on Amazon →

Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

Purchase on Amazon →

Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

Purchase on Amazon →

ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

Purchase on Amazon →

PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

Purchase on Amazon →

Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

Purchase on Amazon →

Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

iBobber portable fish depth finder

Purchase on Amazon →

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

Purchase on Amazon →

Directions

FAQs

Lower Otay Lake is known for its largemouth bass population, making it a favorite spot for bass anglers. Other species include catfish, bluegill, crappie, and during cooler months, stocked rainbow trout.

Yes, anglers aged 16 or older must have a valid California fishing license to fish at Lower Otay Lake. Additionally, a daily lake use permit is required, which can be purchased at the lake.

Fishing is allowed during the lake’s operating hours, typically from sunrise to sunset. Anglers must comply with California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and lake-specific rules, such as catch limits and approved bait types. For the latest updates on hours and rules, check with the lake office or the City of San Diego’s website.

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