Otay Lake Fishing Chula Vista
If you are looking for a great fishing spot near Chula Vista, you might want to check out Otay Lake. Otay Lake is actually composed of two reservoirs: Upper Otay Lake and Lower Otay Lake. Both lakes offer excellent fishing opportunities for bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill and more. In this article, we will focus on Lower Otay Lake, which is the larger and more popular of the two.
Otay Lake Fishing Chula Vista
Lower Otay Lake Overview
Lower Otay Lake is located about 20 miles southeast of San Diego and covers 1,100 surface acres when full. The lake was created in 1897 by the Southern California Mountain Water Company and was connected to the City of San Diego's water system in 1906. The lake is also the home of the United States Olympic Training Center for rowing sports.
The lake is open for fishing and boating on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The lake is closed on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as some holidays. You can find more information about the hours of operation and fees on the [City of San Diego Official Website].
Lower Otay Lake Fishing
Lower Otay Lake is known for its trophy-sized largemouth bass, which have been stocked with Florida-strain genetics. The lake regularly produces bass over 10 pounds and holds several bass fishing tournaments throughout the year. The lake also holds some monster catfish that can weigh over 50 pounds.
Besides bass and catfish, you can also catch crappie, bluegill, sunfish and carp at Lower Otay Lake. The best time to fish for these species is in the spring and summer, when they are more active and spawn near the shorelines. You can use live bait such as worms, minnows, crickets or nightcrawlers to entice them.
To fish at Lower Otay Lake, you will need a valid California fishing license and a daily fishing permit from the lake concessionaire. You can also rent a boat or kayak from the concessionaire or launch your own boat or watercraft for a fee. You can find more information about the fishing regulations and boat rental fees on the [City of San Diego Official Website].
Otay Lakes County Park
If you want to enjoy some other outdoor activities besides fishing, you can visit the Otay Lakes County Park, which is adjacent to Lower Otay Lake. The park offers picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking trails, horseback riding trails and a campground. You can also explore the Otay Valley Regional Park, which is a multi-jurisdictional planning effort by the County of San Diego and the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista.
Otay Lakes County Park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to sunset. The park charges a vehicle entry fee of $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends and holidays. You can find more information about the park amenities and fees on the [San Diego County Parks Website].
Conclusion
Otay Lake Fishing Chula Vista is a great option for anglers who want to catch big fish in a scenic setting. Lower Otay Lake offers some of the best bass and catfish fishing in Southern California, as well as other species such as crappie and bluegill. You can also enjoy other outdoor activities at the nearby Otay Lakes County Park or Otay Valley Regional Park. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day on the water or an adventurous weekend getaway, Otay Lake has something for everyone.
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