San Diego County Fishing Reports

Dixon just received another 1,000 pounds of trout today, adding to an already very good bite for smaller fish. Jigs remain the mainstay for limits, but some anglers are picking off fish with small spoons and floating nightcrawlers. Water temps are in the mid to high 60s, so trout action may taper off quickly once things push into the 70s.

Bass action has been good, especially for 1–2 pounders pushed tight into the shallows. Small swimbaits, dropshots, and Texas-rigged worms or creature baits are getting bit. A few 3–6 pound fish have been spotted cruising the banks but have been tough to fool. With fresh trout in the water, now’s a good time to break out the big trout-pattern swimbaits and take a shot at a giant.

Lower Otay bass action is excellent right now, with spring conditions in full swing and water temps sitting comfortably in the high 60s. Bass have moved shallow, holding around brush, tulles, and structure near the banks, though a few are still hanging back on secondary points. Creature baits and beavers flipped into the brush are pulling consistent bites, but the best action has been on chatterbaits and squarebills worked tight to shallow cover, especially productive in the late morning. And don’t overlook finesse tactics... the dropshot bite has been excellent for both numbers and quality.

Anglers are having big days, with many reporting 30-40 fish outings, mostly in the 1-3 pound range (although a few fish in the teens have been reported already this year). Just be prepared for the crowds, plus the grass and algae are thick, especially in the shallow zones.

Spring bassin’ is hot right now at Lake Poway. Big females have been showing up over the past couple of weeks, highlighted by a 14.8-pounder caught by Jed Dickerson—a new lake record, topping the previous 14.1-pound mark from 2024. Water temps are now in the low to mid-60s, signaling peak spawn season. These big females are pushing into the shallows behind the males, and anglers are capitalizing with swimbaits and jigs to trigger defensive strikes from the larger fish. Soft plastics are working well for smaller bass. Trout fishing remains decent after the last stocking earlier this month, but with temps rising, that bite will likely taper off in the coming weeks.