Lake Wohlford
San Diego County Bass, Trout, Crappie, Catfish, Sunfish
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Lake Wohlford Fishing Overview

Water Description

Tucked away in Escondido, Lake Wohlford is a less popular fishery for San Diego anglers. It holds a variety of fish, ranging from big largemouth bass and catfish to crappie and trophy rainbow trout. For San Deigo bass enthusiasts, Wohlford Lake has the potential to be their favorite. It has a storied history of producing giant bass since the 80s. Wohlford continues to be a hotbed for big bass, with double-digit fish caught regularly. Springtime is the best time to catch these giants, as they are at their heaviest, and aggressively protecting...

Tucked away in Escondido, Lake Wohlford is a less popular fishery for San Diego anglers. It holds a variety of fish, ranging from big largemouth bass and catfish to crappie and trophy rainbow trout.

For San Deigo bass enthusiasts, Wohlford Lake has the potential to be their favorite. It has a storied history of producing giant bass since the 80s. Wohlford continues to be a hotbed for big bass, with double-digit fish caught regularly. Springtime is the best time to catch these giants, as they are at their heaviest, and aggressively protecting their nests.

Trout fishing is also very good, as the CDFW stocks the lake throughout the colder months. Many of these stocked trout remain in the lake for years, growing to impressive sizes. Chunky trout upwards of 8-10 pounds are caught very often. Powerbait, jigs, and small spinners are the baits that get the most action.

Lake Wohlford is also known for its crappie fishing. Anglers typically use fish finders to detect schools, although casting near areas with dense brush can also be productive.

Wohlford catfish can get absolutely giant. Channels and blues both inhabit the lake, and are quite active during hot summer evenings. Use chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or any other stinky natural bait.

No swimming or private boats are allowed at Wohlford, although boat rentals are available. Please review the regulations before planning your trip.

Species:
Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Blue Catfish, Bluegill
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 1 month ago - View Schedule
Trophy Fish:
  • Largemouth Bass: 19.1875 lb (1986)
  • Rainbow Trout 16.25 lb (1999)
  • Black Crappie: 3.5 lb (2016, 1986)
  • Channel Catfish: 27 lb (2007)
  • Blue Catfish: 49.30 (2014)
Boating / Access:
No private boats. Boat rentals available.
Geography:
Surface Area: 236 acres
Surface Elevation: 1,480 ft
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Latest Fishing Reports

Excellent Catfish bite
Rainbow Trout, Catfish, Crappie
53°F

The bite at Lake Wohlford has been quite good, with crappie, trout, and catfish all on the chew. Crappie are stacking up near the West buoy line, hitting live shiners, with some slabs pushing close to 2 pounds (biggest reported was 2.9lbs). Oakvale cove has also been producing. Trout action got a boost with a fresh 700-pound plant from CDFW on...

The bite at Lake Wohlford has been quite good, with crappie, trout, and catfish all on the chew. Crappie are stacking up near the West buoy line, hitting live shiners, with some slabs pushing close to 2 pounds (biggest reported was 2.9lbs). Oakvale cove has also been producing. Trout action got a boost with a fresh 700-pound plant from CDFW on February 3, including some trophy-sized fish. Anglers are hooking up on inflated nightcrawlers and power worms (East Bouy line & Oakvale). Big catfish action remains very good with a couple of giants over 30 pounds yanked out last week from the west side on mackerel and dip baits.

10 anglers found this report useful
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Excellent Trout bite
Trout, Bass, Catfish, Crappie
54°F

Trout action at Wolford has been very consistent, likely due to the multiple large stockings over the past month. The eastern side of the lake has been the most productive. Anglers are throwing spoons, jigs, Mice Tails, and soaking PowerBait—all of which are catching fish. Most are your typical CDFW stockers, but a few 4- to 7-pounders have been...

Trout action at Wolford has been very consistent, likely due to the multiple large stockings over the past month. The eastern side of the lake has been the most productive. Anglers are throwing spoons, jigs, Mice Tails, and soaking PowerBait—all of which are catching fish. Most are your typical CDFW stockers, but a few 4- to 7-pounders have been caught in the last couple of weeks.

The catfish bite has been unexpectedly excellent on the west end, with anglers soaking mackerel or chicken livers in deeper water. Shore anglers are catching a few, but most of the action is coming from boats due to better access to deeper areas. The largemouth bass bite has been slow, but a few ultralight anglers have found a decent crappie bite using live shiners.

9 anglers found this report useful
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Latest Stockings

Trout CDFW
1,500 pounds
Trout Local
Trout CDFW

Other Nearby Reports

Bass are in late spawn to early post-spawn, with surface temps now around 68°. Most fish have left their beds and are holding in cover… brush, submerged trees, and rock edges...

Barrett’s been on a heater, plain and simple. Post-spawn bass are feeding aggressively, with numbers and size both in play. 50 fish days with top fish in the 6-7 pound range...

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Guides & Tackle Shops

Lake Wohlford Map

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