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Lower Otay Reservoir

Part of Coronado & South Bay, our guide to Coronado, the South Bay and the bayfront.

The City of San Diego opens Lower Otay Reservoir for fishing on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, sunrise to sunset, and closes it on the second Wednesday of each month. Anglers 16 and older need a California fishing license. The adult permit is $10, and children 7 and under are free. The launch ramp is closed.Checked October 23, 2026.

Wed, Sat, Sunsunrise to sunset
$10adult permit, 16 to 65
Freechildren 7 and under
16+needs a CA license
A floating fishing dock reaching into Lower Otay Reservoir, with hills across the water
A fishing dock at Lower Otay Reservoir. Laurel Wreath of Victors, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
DaysOpen Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, sunrise to sunset; closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and on the second Wednesday of each month. Open Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
PermitAnglers 16 or older need a valid California fishing license. Permits come from the electronic pay station or the iron ranger box, cash or check only. Adults (16 to 65) $10 per person; children 7 and under are free. A permit bought here also works the same day at Upper Otay.
AllowedBoats, canoes and kayaks, float tubes, fishing, picnic tables, barbecue areas, restrooms and leashed dogs. No swimming, no camping and no stand-up paddleboards.
Fish listedLargemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie and carp.
Launch rampThe City says the launch ramp is closed effective Wednesday, June 3, 2026 because of declining water levels.

Rules in Plain Words

The City runs the reservoir, not the County. See the California fishing license and limits page for license rules.

Lower Otay Reservoir Open the map. © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What We Could Not Verify

  • The youth permit price (ages 8 to 15), any senior price, and the address were not captured on the page read.
  • Whether the launch ramp has reopened since the June 3, 2026 notice was not confirmed.

More in Coronado & South Bay

FAQ

Which days is the lake open?

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, sunrise to sunset, except the second Wednesday of each month, per the City.

Do kids need a permit?

The City says children 7 and under are free. The price for ages 8 to 15 was not captured, so check the City page.

Sources

  1. City of San Diego: Lower Otay Reservoir

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.