Skip to content
It’s San DiegoSearch The Guide

Home › Lake Fishing Rules and Permits

Lake Fishing Rules and Permits

Part of Lakes and Lake Guides, our guide to San Diego County lakes, reservoirs and the rules for fishing them.

Anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license at the lakes in this guide, and most lakes also charge their own fee or permit. Resident annual licenses are listed at $64.54. Several lakes ban swimming and wading, and several have mussel rules. Check each lake’s page before you go.Checked October 23, 2026.

16+needs a CA fishing license
$64.54resident annual license, 2026
3lakes here allow camping
Noswimming at the reservoirs
State licenseRequired for 16 and older at the lakes in this guide (operators state this). CDFW lists the resident annual license at $64.54 and the nonresident annual license at $174.14 (2026 fees, read 2026-10-23).
Where to buyLake Morena says the State license is not sold at the lake or nearby facilities, so buy it before you drive out.
Operator permitsLake Morena county permit, Lake Wohlford daily permit, Miramar and Sutherland fishing fees (cash or check). Sweetwater Reservoir fees are suspended per the Authority.
CampingLake Morena, Guajome Regional Park and, per the Vista Irrigation District, Lake Henshaw. Miramar, Sutherland and Loveland have none.

License First

The state license is separate from any lake fee. CDFW says a sport fishing license is required for anyone taking fish, and the lake operators in this guide repeat that anyone 16 or older needs one. For the full license and limits page, see California Fishing License and Limits.

Operator Permits and Fees

Each lake sets its own fees. Miramar and Sutherland take cash or check only. Lake Morena sells a county fishing permit at the park on top of the State license. Lake Wohlford requires a daily permit. The Sweetwater Authority says its shoreline fishing fees are currently suspended until further notice, as read on October 23, 2026.

Mussels and Bait

Quagga mussels shape the boat rules. Lake Morena requires vessels and equipment to be clean, drained and dry and inspected before launching. Sutherland inspects every vessel at the station near the ramp. Lake Wohlford bans private watercraft and gear that may have touched mussel-exposed water. Sweetwater and Loveland do not allow live freshwater bait such as shiners and crawdads; they allow mealworms, redworms and crickets.

Swimming and Drinking Water

Swimming and wading are prohibited at Lake Morena, Miramar, Wohlford, Sutherland, Sweetwater and Loveland according to each operator’s page. Miramar, Sutherland, Sweetwater and Loveland also ban fires or ground fires per their pages.

Closures and Weather

Sweetwater and Loveland say they can close at any time for fire conditions, Red Flag Warnings, weather or staffing. Closures, fire orders and advisories on this site are read 2026-10-23; check the agency page the same day you go.

Lakes Covered Elsewhere on This Site

Ten larger lakes already have their own pages: Lake Cuyamaca, Lake Murray, Santee Lakes, Lake Jennings, El Capitan Reservoir, San Vicente Reservoir, Lower Otay Reservoir, Dixon Lake, Hodges Reservoir, Lake Poway.

Also see Fishing With Kids and Free Fishing Days.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Fees and rules are quoted as each operator posted them on October 23, 2026 and can change. Each lake’s operator can confirm current figures.

More in Lakes and Lake Guides

FAQ

Do I need a license to fish a San Diego lake?

Yes for anyone 16 or older at the lakes in this guide, per the operators and CDFW.

Can I buy my license at the lake?

Not at Lake Morena, which says the State license is not available there or nearby.

Can I swim in these reservoirs?

No. Swimming and wading are prohibited at the reservoirs listed in this guide.

Sources

  1. CDFW: fishing licenses
  2. Lake Morena fishing (County Parks)
  3. Sweetwater Authority: Sweetwater Reservoir
  4. City of San Diego: reservoirs and lakes

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.