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Palomar Mountain State Park Doane Valley

Part of Streams and Fishing Guides, our guide to San Diego County creeks, rivers and stream-side parks, with fishing rules and flood safety.

Palomar Mountain State Park has Doane Pond, which CDFW stocks with trout. State Parks asks visitors not to fish the creeks below the pond. Day use is $10 per vehicle and hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. The catch limit is 5 and anyone 16 or older needs a California license.Checked October 23, 2026.

$10vehicle day use
5catch limit at Doane Pond
8 a.m.to sunset
Address19952 State Park Rd., Palomar Mountain, CA 92060
Hours8 a.m. to sunset (State Parks, last checked 10/23/2026)
FeeVehicle day use $10.00; prices subject to change without notice
Phone(760) 742-3462
DogsAllowed in the campgrounds, on designated paved park roads and on Myers Fire Road
CampingReservable through ReserveCalifornia, per State Parks

What It Is

State Parks describes a park in northern San Diego County with “pristine forest, peaceful meadows.” Source: California State Parks, read 2026-10-23.

Doane Pond and Creeks

State Parks’ fishing page says: “Doane Pond is a great place to try your hand at trout fishing. This pond is stocked by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.” It adds: “no size limit but the catch limit is 5.” It also asks: “not fishing our creeks below Doane Pond or disturbing the vegetation around them,” and says the federally listed steelhead has been seen in the creeks. CDFW lists plant weeks for Doane Pond, not dates. See stream fishing rules.

License Note

State Parks says “over 16” must hold a license, while CDFW says 16 or older. We follow CDFW. See California Fishing License and Limits.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Current Doane Pond plant dates and creek conditions were not confirmed. CDFW (South Coast, +1-858-467-4201) and the park can confirm.
  • State Parks says “over 16” for the license; CDFW says “16 years of age or older.” CDFW is used here.
  • Kid-friendliness and accessibility details were not stated on the pages read.
  • Map coordinates were not obtained.

More in Streams and Fishing Guides

FAQ

Can I fish the creeks at Palomar Mountain?

State Parks asks visitors not to fish the creeks below Doane Pond. Doane Pond is the stocked water.

What is the day-use fee?

$10 per vehicle, subject to change without notice.

Sources

  1. California State Parks: Palomar Mountain
  2. California State Parks: fishing
  3. CDFW: fish planting schedule

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.