Part of East County, our guide to El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lakeside and Alpine.
Lake Jennings, a Helix Water District lake in Lakeside, is typically open to the public for fishing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Day use is $6 per adult 16 and over; fishing is $13 for adults. It is a drinking-water reservoir, so no bodily contact with the water is allowed.Checked October 23, 2026.
Fri–SunFull Lake Open
$6Day Use per Adult 16+
FreeFishing Ages 0 to 5
NoWater Contact
AddressCampground 10108 Bass Road, Lakeside, CA 92040, 619-390-1623. Lake 9535 Harritt Road, Lakeside, CA 92040, 619-443-2510.
Hours“The entire lake is typically open to the general public for fishing three days a week on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.” On other days permits are sold at the campground entrance station 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with fishing limited to the shoreline below the campground. The campground is open seven days a week. “Operating hours are subject to change.”
PricesListed as effective September 16, 2026: day use $6 per adult 16+ (no charge for registered campers); fishing adults $13, seniors 65+ $12, ages 6 to 16 $9, ages 0 to 5 free; private boat launch $12 per day; rowboat rental, 5 hours, $25 from September 16 to May 14.
RulesA drinking-water reservoir: no bodily contact with the water is permitted. Fishing permits and a California fishing license are required for adults; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Events ReadKids Fish Free, listed from October 1; New Moon Fishing, Saturday November 7 ($13); Veterans Day, Wednesday November 11, lake open, listed as free; Trout Opener, Friday November 20 ($13); Feast and Fish, Monday November 23 ($12). The Spooky Campoween weekend is for campground guests. See our events page.
Fishing hours by clock time on Friday to Sunday: not confirmed.
Details and times for each event, and whether Kids Fish Free is more than one day: not confirmed.
What the $13 and $12 event numbers cover: the page shows only the number.
An unrelated advertisement text appeared on one page of the lake’s site. It was ignored and none of it is used here.
Map point is approximate (OpenStreetMap), not a surveyed entrance.
More in East County
FAQ
Can you swim at Lake Jennings?
No. It is a drinking-water reservoir and the lake’s page says no bodily contact with the water is permitted.
When is Lake Jennings open to the public?
Typically Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the entire lake; other days offer shoreline fishing below the campground, per the lake’s policies page. Hours are subject to change.
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.