Otay Lake, CA

By Donnie Vachon

Just 20 miles Southeast of San Diego, California, lies Lower Otay Lake.

Otay Lake covers 1,100 acres and has a maximum water depth of 137 feet. Lower Otay, part of the San Diego City chain of lakes, not only is a great bass fishery, it also played a pivotal role in the creation of the excellent bass fishing throughout the state of California. Lower Otay was one of the initial lakes to have Florida Bass stocked, and as the bass did well there, they used the lake to help stock other fisheries in the state. Fishing Otay not only provides the anglers with the opportunity for great fishing, it also provides a chance to enjoy a part of bass fishing history.

Fishing here is very limited, which helps to enhance the fishery. Jet skiers and wakeboarders are not allowed. This helps to limit the crowds and make your fishing trip more enjoyable. It is primarily a fishing lake. The lake is only open from late January through late September and is open from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

The lake is also the home of the United States Olympic Training Center for rowing sports. On any day, you may see Olympic prospects in training out in the middle of the lake. Otay is also the where California's state record bluegill was caught, a whopping 3.5-pound fish.

The Florida strain largemouth found in Otay can be massive, with fish over 15 pounds caught almost annually. The lake record was a behemoth weighing in at over 19 pounds. Like most big-fish lakes, there are times when the fishing can be very tough, but when you get there at the right times, the fishing can be incredible.

You can also fish Upper Otay Lake. It is a walk-in-only lake and requires purchasing a ticket. You can't fish from a boat but you can use a float tube or fish from the bank. It is a catch-and-release fishery and it has large numbers of good fish.

Some of the better places to fish are in Harvey's Arm and the Otay Arm. These arms both have a lot of standing timber where the bass lie in wait for their next meal.

One thing to remember about Lower Otay is that it's a "spot" lake. What I mean is that the fish are located in particular areas. You have to locate the right spots to catch the fish. There are dropoffs, humps and rock piles throughout the lake. You really have to use your electronics effectively to locate these "spots." They are scattered everywhere, but once you find the right spot, you'll have a great day of fishing.

Many times, after launching your boat, you will see other boats right out in the middle of the lake. Mainly up in the Harvey's Arm. Those anglers have usually found a rock pile with the fish surrounding it.

There are a lot of tulle lines that can provide great opportunities for those who enjoy flipping. You can take a jig and run and flip for some really big fish.

Currently, the lake is nearing full pool. Since Otay is on the end of the San Diego Lakes chain, it has a steadier water level than the others and is usually nearer capacity.

Some of the old timers will tell you that when the fish are active, Otay is one of the finest bass fishing lakes in California. But, when the bite is off, it can be one of the toughest lakes to fish.

When anglers aren't targeting bed fish in the spring, they tend to either flip the tulles or head towards the outside rock structure and throw a worm referred to by the locals as the Otay Special worm. It is kind of brown with a black vein running through it and is made by AA Worms.

Another effective lure is a brush hog. You want to flip this into the better tulles, ones that are in four to six feet of water.

Summer

In the summer you can enjoy some great topwater action early in the morning. Look for breaking fish on the surface chasing the shad. Zoom Super Flukes in a white color can be very effective. Of course, any type of walk-the-dog bait will work in this situation.

During the early summer months the marine layer can affect the area. The marine layer is cloud covering that comes in from the ocean. When this happens, you can expect the topwater bite to last longer. At times, you can get topwater fish all day, but usually the marine layer burns off by about nine in the morning.

Once the sun gets up you should start flipping the tulles because the fish will get tight to them. You can catch bass along the outside edges. I like to use a full size Brush Hog in a green pumpkin color or a type of brown because they will more readily match the crawdads in the lake.

The other hot areas are the rock piles located throughout the lake. There will always be fish on the outside structure. On the rocks, it's best to use a Carolina rig with a green pumpkin color. Locate your boat on top of the rocks and work the bait uphill to catch more and better fish.

Fall

The topwater bite is much more predominate than in the summer. As the water temperatures begin to drop the bass really turn on at Otay. That's when throwing a buzzbait along the tulle lines can give anglers a great day of excitement.

Using jigs and worms on the rocks and tulles will fill in the rest of your fall fishing day.

Winter:

Otay is closed to fishing during the winter months, giving the fish a well-deserved break and allowing the die-hard Otay anglers a chance to get their gear ready for the next season.

Spring

Because of San Diego's excellent weather, Otay opens up in late January and on opening day there can be some long lines of anglers waiting for the chance at the hungry bass that haven't seen a lure in months.

In the spring, you can find fish on the beds and locate some really big fish. If there is any rain though, the fish will be hard to find because the lake will get stained fairly quickly.

During the spring months are great times to break out your crankbaits. A DD-22 in the deeper water is very effective. Also, a Norman Deep Little N, as well as a Rapala number 9 or a number 7 in a Baby Bass or crawdad pattern are particularly fine baits.

Some anglers are starting to use a dropshot rig to catch fish. It's best to position your boat very tight to the tulles, right on the bank and fish uphill. Remember that this time of year you are targeting fish in the prespawn mode. The tulles can be in four to six foot of water, you position your boat up tight and just out a way from the tulles it will drop off to about 15-feet of water. As you're climbing up the dropoff, you locate those big females which are staging. Concession services include outboard motor rentals and sale of State fishing licenses, permits, food, beverages, bait and tackle. For information on prices and/or services or to reserve a rental boat call the concessionaire at 619-390-0222.

Overnight camping is not allowed at Lower Otay. The nearest camping is Thousand Trails (2 miles away) or Sweetwater and Bonita County Parks (5 miles away). For reservations at County Parks call (619) 565-3600.