Lake Poway Fishing Overview

Located just 20 miles from San Diego within the Clyde E. Rexrode Wilderness area, Lake Poway may be small, but it promises more than just scenic hiking trails and abundant wildlife – it's a dream spot for anglers seeking big fish. Lake Poway is celebrated for its trophy rainbow trout, with many exceeding 10 pounds. The lake is stocked with rainbows throughout the winter. In past years, brown trout were stocked as well, so you may hook into one of these bruisers unexpectedly. Remember, if you're after trout, it's advisable to get started early...

Lake Poway is celebrated for its trophy rainbow trout, with many exceeding 10 pounds. The lake is stocked with rainbows throughout the winter. In past years, brown trout were stocked as well, so you may hook into one of these bruisers unexpectedly. Remember, if you're after trout, it's advisable to get started early. During the morning, these Poway trout tend to stay in shallow areas, near cover with easy access to deeper waters. As the day progresses, they tend to venture deeper and further away from the shoreline.

But trout aren't the only draw here. Lake Poway is also renowned for its largemouth bass, with many reaching low double digits. The lake boasts a bass record weighing over 14 pounds. Bluegill and trout-colored lures cast shallow can yield success early in the season. However, come mid-summer, when temperatures rise, bass tend to venture to cooler, deeper waters. That’s when finesse tactics become the ticket.

If catfish are your target, Lake Poway hosts both channel and blue catfish. The best strategy for these is evening or nighttime fishing during the summer months, preferably with live bait.

Lake Poway is usually open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. Shoreline fishing is permitted, and the lake offers boat rentals. Although privately owned boats, even non-motorized, aren’t allowed.

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Species:

Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Bluegill

Stocked Date:

Catfish stocked 1 week ago - View Schedule

Trophy Fish:

Largemouth Bass: 14.1 lb (2024)
Blue Catfish: 47 lb (2017)
Channel Catfish: 28 lb (1981)
Bluegill: 2 lb 8 oz (2002)

Boating / Access:

Boat rentals available

Geography:

Surface Area: 53 acres

Fishing Reports

Log Report

Lake Poway

Jul 25

San Diego County

Public

Excellent Catfish bite

Bass, Catfish

81°F Clear

Poway just extended Friday and Saturday hours to 11:30pm to match the catfish stockings now underway... and that's huge news for more than just the cat guys. Bass anglers should be circling those late nights too, because summer nights at Poway trigger some of the biggest bass in the lake to aggressively start crushing baits. Big, dark-colored power...

If you're not fishing the low-light window, don't forget Poway's water is crystal clear... light line is non-negotiable. Dropshots, small swimbaits, and other finesse plastics in natural colors are the standard here for bass.

For the catfish.... mackerel, garlic shrimp, and big nightcrawlers are still the proven go-tos.

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3 anglers found this report useful

Lake Poway

Apr 3

San Diego County

Public

Hot Bass bite

Trout, Bass

67°F Clear

The bass spawn is fully underway as water temps push into the high 60s. Both males and females have finally made their move onto beds, and some big fish have been reported by sight anglers pounding the shoreline. A 6 and 7 pounder were just caught in the last few days that way. Swimbaits, jigs, and even glidebaits are triggering some of the bigger...

A 6 and 7 pounder were just caught in the last few days that way. Swimbaits, jigs, and even glidebaits are triggering some of the bigger females. Other folks are throwing soft plastics (worms and crawdad imitations) into 10-15 feet of water just outside the shallow zones, hooking up with some nice 2 to 3 pounders.

Another trout stock came in this week, with two more scheduled for April. The bite has been excellent. White jigs and small spoons have been producing some awesome action, especially in the morning near steep rocky areas. Powerbait soakers are getting fish as well.

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4 anglers found this report useful