Lake Wohlford
San Diego County Bass, Trout, Crappie, Catfish, Sunfish
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What's Biting - 1 month ago
Crappie
Hot
Trout
Excellent
Bass
Excellent
Catfish
Good

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:
Catfish stocked 1 week 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
Hot Crappie bite
Trout, Bass, Catfish, Crappie
68°F Slightly Stained

The spring bite at Lake Wohlford is firing right now, no matter what you're fishing for. Water temps are now in the upper 60s, trout stockings continue, and big bass and crappie are getting more aggressive in shallower water. First, the bite has been excellent for big crappie over the last week, and should only get better into April. Crappie Rock...

The spring bite at Lake Wohlford is firing right now, no matter what you're fishing for. Water temps are now in the upper 60s, trout stockings continue, and big bass and crappie are getting more aggressive in shallower water.

First, the bite has been excellent for big crappie over the last week, and should only get better into April. Crappie Rock has been a hot spot for folks throwing green or white mini jigs. 1+ pound fish have been common, and a three-pounder was reported last week.

The trout bite has been excellent on garlic + cheese scented Powerbait and Mice Tails. Reports of quality 3- 5 pound fish coming out of Bass Point. The occasional catfish has been hooked here as well.

Big largemouth are really keying in on those stockers as well, with an 8-pounder hooked last week on a swimbait. Most bass are currently in one of the three spawn stages and can be hooked on a bunch of different soft plastics.

The multi-species bite can't get much better than right now at Lake Wohlford.

3 anglers found this report useful
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Good Trout bite
Trout, Bass, Catfish
57°F Slightly Stained

Trout stockings continue at Wohlford with another going in last week. And good news, the trout are finally starting to bite. Anglers are getting limits on the east end of the lake with PowerBait and nightcrawlers... a positive sign after an oddly slow start to the season. This may be tied to the dip in water temps, now hovering in the mid to high...

Trout stockings continue at Wohlford with another going in last week. And good news, the trout are finally starting to bite. Anglers are getting limits on the east end of the lake with PowerBait and nightcrawlers... a positive sign after an oddly slow start to the season. This may be tied to the dip in water temps, now hovering in the mid to high 50s.

Catfish are still very active, with several big cats pulled out over the last few weeks on mackerel and dip baits. Bass activity is cooling off some, though big trout-colored swimbait throwers are still occasionally landing giants... an 8-pounder was caught last week. Otherwise, bass guys are reporting fish on weightless creature/crawdad soft plastics.

5 anglers found this report useful
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CatfishLocal
2000 lbs
TroutLocal
TroutCDFW

Nearby Reports

5/24/26 Beautiful weather. Everyone was catching but us. Zero for me

The last trout stock of the season came in mid-April, and trout fishing is just about done. A handful of anglers are still probing deeper zones with bait and picking up a few...

Lake Wohlford Weather

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