Two camping parks operated by San Diego County Parks and Recreation, Lake Morena and Lake Jennings, have the additional attraction of offering fishing and boating.
Go directly to our weekly fishing report for Lake Morena.
Lake Morena
Surrounded by thousands of acres of chaparral-covered hills, huge old oak trees, and large rock formations, Lake Morena County Park is the most distant and remote reservoir within the county. Take I-8 east to Buckman Springs Road, head south 4 miles to Oak Drive, then west 3 miles to Lake Morena Dr. and the park entrance. Fishing, boating, sailboarding, and hiking can be enjoyed all year, seven days a week, 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Rental boats are available Wednesdays through Sundays and all holidays. Motorboats are available for $35.00 a day and rowboats are $15.00 a day. You may provide your own motor on a rowboat. Please note that rented boats must be back at the dock by 6 p.m. The dock will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays until further notice. Boat & Rental Fees for Senior/Disabled: Full day motorboat (weekday only) $17.50; full day rowboat (weekday only) $11.00. You must provide your own motor.
Private boats can launch seven days a week during park hours. The lake use fee for private boats (motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboards) is $6.00 per day. Our boat ramp will accommodate vessels up to 18 feet long. Watch for submerged rocks! The speed limit of 10 miles per hour applies to all boats, therefore no waterskiing is allowed. Swimming is not permitted. An annual lake-use permit for motorized watercraft is available for $75. The annual lake-use permit for non-motorized watercraft is $55.
Fishing in the spring and summer for bass (record largemouth bass is 19 lbs. 3 oz.), crappie, bluegill, and catfish (record catfish is 31 lbs. 7 oz.) and in the fall and winter for trout (record rainbow is 10 lbs. 2 oz.). Between November and February we plant thousands of pounds of rainbow and German brown trout, providing hours of enjoyment for fishermen of all ages.
Fishing fees are $5.00 per day for Adults (16 and over); $3.50 per day for Seniors (62 and over), weekdays only; $3.50 per day for disabled; $2.50 per day for juniors (8 through 15); and no charge for children 7 and under. A California Sport Fishing License is required for all anglers 16 years and older (under Section 7145a of the Fish and Game Code).
An information line, 619-478-5473, is changed daily with fishing and camping updates.
Lake Jennings
Lake Jennings campground is operated by the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department. However, the lake is under the jurisdiction of the Helix Water District, and different hours and policies apply. The lake is only open for private boating and boat rental on the weekends and the hours vary during the year.
If camping at Lake Jennings, you may shore-fish within the county park any day, sunrise to sunset. Fees are $6.00 for Adults, $5.50 for Seniors, $3.00 for Juniors (9-16 years of age), and no charge for children 8 and under.
Please note that these fees differ from those charged by the Helix Water District for fishing anywhere in the lake other than from the county park shoreline. Those fees are available at the water district's web site for the lake at www.lakejennings.org. You'll find further information regarding hours, hour changes, closures, etc. at this site, or call the Helix Water District at 619-466-0585.
Weekly Report for Lake Morena
May 5 -- May 11, 2008
Trout: Plenty of trout are still being taken, but the action has slowed some. Most trout being caught are puled in using Power Bait and crawlers..
Bass: Bass fishing has picked up,with the bass holding to shore. Darker color plastics are your best bet. Some larger fish are being caught, but fishermen are keeping their cards close to the vest.
Bluegill: A few are being caught amid the crappie.
Crappie: The crappie bite is on. Most are being caught using jigs -- run through the rainbow until you find one that works.
Catfish: Some catfish are being caught, mostly off Power Bait and a few off mackerel.
Note: No open flames are allowed during Red Flag warnings. See this page for latest updates.
Boat launch conditions: Not recommended for anything over 19 feet.
Boat rentals are available Wednesdays through Sundays and all holidays.
Be sure to bring your catch in to the ranger station to weigh and record your fish on our new hanging scale. This helps park staff keep track of the fish population and you may also get your name in the local paper! The maximum creel limit for trout, bass, or catfish is five fish per person. Limits for crappie and bluegill are 25 per angler. There is no “catch and release” of trout. Bass must be at least 12 inches long to keep.
The lake is open daily for fishing and boating. Park hours for fishing and day use are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. No swimming at Lake Morena County Park. Motorboats and rowboats are available for rent Wednesdays through Sundays. Motorboats rent for $35, rowboats for $15. You may provide your own motor on a rowboat. Our boat ramp will accommodate vessels up to 18 feet long. Watch out for submerged rocks!
For daily fishing updates, call Lake Morena's recorded fishing line at (619) 478-5473. A California Sport Fishing License (not sold at the park) is required for all anglers 16 years and older (under Section 7145a of the Fish and Game Code), in addition to the lake's daily fishing permit, which is available at the ranger station.
If you are planning to camp with us in the near future, be sure to make your reservations early. Our toll free reservation number, 1-877-565-3600 (858-565-3600 local), is answered Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The folks at the reservation desk would be glad to help you. Our on-line reservation system allows you to make camping reservations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Go to this page to get started.
South Shore Campground: Reservations are required for camping at the main campground of the South Shore. This campground offers partial hookup sites (water and electric), as well as several developed sites. The main restroom offers hot showers and flush toilets, and is handicapped accessible.
The dump station is currently closed. Please use the Buckman Springs rest area.
North Shore Primitive Campground: This campground is closed until further notice because of the lake’s low water level.
