OTAYISOKWITHANGLERS

from California Sportsman Magazine - December 2022

Gift ideas for your gun dog

BASSIN’ PARADISE

LOWER, UPPER OTAY LAKES OFFER FEISTY LARGEMOUTH

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

Lower Lake Otay is definitely high on the list of great fishing for many species for anglers. This lake located in southeast San Diego County boasts great largemouth fishing, as well as catfish, bluegill and crappie opportunities.

Its little sister, Upper Lake Otay, located just across the street to the north, is a tranquil place to get back to basics. The lake comes in at about 20 acres when full and is for float tubers and shore fishermen. It was originally used as a breeding lake for Florida-strain bass for all over the world. It was established in 1959.

Lower Otay Dam was originally constructed and completed in 1897 and was the third reservoir formed in a short three-year period in San Diego County. The city was so quick to build the dam that no one thought of it ever overfilling, so no overflow flume was added to the project. Heavy rains and flooding filled the dam to capacity in 1916 and the dam collapsed, then completely washed away. Two years later, the current improved dam replaced it.

When full the lake covers 1,100 surface acres and has about 26 miles of shoreline. Not all are fishable, as the banks are lined with tules and brush. Open locations to fish are kept up by anglers, or made easier by nature or the current water level. It’s that brush and tules that many of Otay’s fish call home. They are the areas you want to attack for bass.

SUNSHINE STATE FISH

The lake is most famous for its Florida-strain bass. Lake Otay’s largemouth are strong, big fish that fight hard when hooked and will test your tackle. They have grown large over the years without the help of planted trout for dinner. Now that Otay has been planting trout off and on, more giant fish are being caught than in previous years. I’m sure the current lake record of 18 pounds 12 ounces will be tested. Some anglers have come close recently.

The largemouth eat all forms of lures here; from white or white/ chartreuse spinnerbaits to Bomber

Plenty of nice bass are roaming around the twin lakes of Upper and Lower Otay in southeastern San Diego County. Jeff Lindsenbard caught this beauty. (BILL SCHAEFER)

Florida-strain bass grow really large in Upper Lake Otay. Dean Jamieson’s big fish is one of many that could grow and threaten the lake’s 18-pound, 12-ounce record, set back

in 1986. (BILL SCHAEFER)

crankbaits in everything from crawdad pattern to fire tiger, and all types of plastics. No matter your favorite rig – drop shot or split shot – you should do well.

In some of the brushier areas, you may want to go to the classic Texasrigged worm. The Otay Special, a brown worm with a black stripe, has always been a killer here. When the reeds are in the water flipping can also be good for bass.

FINDING THE BEST SPOTS

How about a quick tour around the lake for bass spots? As you enter the Harvey Arm, the righthand side boasts a giant rock pile at the entrance, which then slides into a long flat all the way down the righthand side.

Spawning will bring all the bass into the shallows. Then, as bottom weeds grow up to the surface through the summer, turn to weedless flukes or a rat or mouse lure. Breaking fish will also fill the center of the arm in

EUGENE, OR Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 1700 State Hwy 99 N lloyd@maxxummarine.com www.maxxummarine.com

later months.

As you enter the Otay Arm, it is all spawning area down most of the left side of the arm. But don’t fail to sit inside and throw out to larger bass, as the bank falls off quickly into deeper water. The right side of the arm also has coves that support spawning as well, so look carefully for beds. The main lake can have breaking fish all around the shoreline, so don’t hesitate to have a swimbait tied on to throw on them.

DON’T FORGET PANFISH, CATS

Other favorite fish to chase here include crappie and bluegill. The records for these two fish go 3.5 pounds for bluegill and 3.37 pounds for crappie. Even the lake record for 85.45-pound blue catfish came from this lake, and later a 102.9-pounder was brought to the scales, obliterating that record and setting a new Otay record. Even the channel cat record stands at 33.43 pounds.

Otay catfish will eat all the old standard stinkbaits, but if you want a giant, then try putting a big piece of mackerel or bonito on your hook and tossing it out. With big fish, though, you need heavy tackle. Most of the serious giant chasers use ocean tackle. Heavy rods and reels – a Daiwa Saltist ocean setup is ideal – with 25- to 50-pound line. One trick of the pros is super lines, like Maxima Braid. It offers great breaking strength in a small-diameter line.

Author Bill Schaefer loves the action Otay provides anglers. He caught this largie on a Yamamoto Senko presentation.

(BILL SCHAEFER)

the usually smaller white crappie comes in at 2.18 pounds. This is a great place for the entire family to learn about fishing.

Crappie and bluegill are found around shoreline brush in the Otay Arm or drifting the length of Harvey Arm. These fish can be great fighters on light tackle. Shiners have always worked well at Otay for the crappie, but traditional crappie rigs will take many fish as well. Bluegill will eat red worms and pieces of nightcrawler. A bobber will help in the shallow-water brush, where bluegill thrive here.

Lake Otay has always been a favorite of the giant catfish anglers. This breeding ground for giant blues and channel cats has produced state records at times. Years ago, the old state record CATCH-AND-RELEASE ACTION

Upper Otay Lake offers fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill and bullheads. Fishing is offered on catchand-release (zero kill) regulations, with barbless artificial lures only for all species of fish. Patrons can use a float tube or fish from shore, but no boats are allowed. Tubes are restricted to within 150 feet or less from shore.

Canoes, kayaks, float tubes, as well as rental and private boats are allowed on the main lake. The current lake level is at about 70-percent full and launching conditions are excellent. It doesn’t take much rain to fill this lake.

There are no concession services at Upper Otay, and permits must be purchased at Lower Otay before heading up. At Lower Otay, daily permits may be purchased at the concession or pay station, or on the dock when staff is present. The pay station is a parking-type device which will give you a receipt for fishing.

There is a fishing dock and some picnic tables if you wish to have a barbeque, so bring the entire family. Overnight camping is not allowed at either lake. The nearest camping is at Thousand Trails (800-560-8833), about 2 miles away.

For more on Upper or Lower Otay Lakes, check out sandiego.gov/ resevoirs-lakes. CS

Destination Honda

For destinations found on a map, or ones that are simply a state of mind, trust a reliable Honda outboard to get you there. And back. Find out more at marine.honda.com or visit your Authorized Honda Marine Dealer.