Cuyamaca Lake

The picture-book 110 acre lake is proof positive that good things come in small packages. Situated at an elevation of 4600 feet in an Oak and Pine forest and surrounded on 3 sides by the 26,000 acre Cuyamaca Rancho State Park of which 52% is classified as wilderness. Lake Cuyamaca's dam was biult in 1888 and is the second oldest in California.

Fishing

Cuyamaca is stocked with over 44,000 lbs. of fish, Lake Cuyamaca is the only San Diego lake that is able to stock trout all year long. Other species of fish include Florida bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill and sturgeon.

Smallmouth bass were introduced by the Dept. Of Fish and Game in the Fall of 1995. Fifteen bass in the 1 to 3 lb. range were released. A second stocking in 1997 of 50 bass from another lake gave us a good genetic mix.

While Lake Cuyamaca does produce large numbers of Florida strain largemouths, the smallmouths should do better. The colder weather and correspondingly colder water temperatures are more ideally suited to the Smallmouth as they like water temps similar to those of rainbow trout. If the growth rate of our holdover trout is any indication, we should be producing smallmouths in the 5 to 6 lb. range in the very near future.

The Smallmouth is probably the strongest, most aggressive of all the black basses. There is a saying that a 2 lb. Smallmouth is stronger than a 5 lb. largemouth. Most of the brood stock have been caught numerous times. However, until they are well established, DFG has set a zero limit.

Smallmouths like rocky areas and our dike and finger jetties are natural holding areas for them. Most have been caught here by trout or bass anglers throwing lures. If you wanted to target them, the best strategy is to throw a small white spinnerbait with a barbless hook so that you can release the fish with minimum damage.

Lake Records

Facilities

Motor boat rentals are available daily for a reasonable fee. Paddle boats and canoes are also available on a seasonal basis. Free tip sheets are provided on the best way to catch each species of fish.

Dog policy: Dogs can be on a leash and out of the water, they can go in boats and are welcome in cabins but, PLEASE, pick up after your dog.

Lake Cuyamaca has 40 RV sites and 14 tent sites next to the lake and now has two cabins, "Rainbow Rendezvous" and "Raccoon Hollow", available for rent. Rainbow Rendezvous is wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the State Park has 160 campsites located close to the lake, including 16 campsites for horse people. The State Park also has a museum and runs campfire programs and nature hikes.

Hours, Fees

Lake Cuyamaca is open 7 days a week from 6:00 AM until sunset. There is a full service restaurant and store are open the same hours as the lake.

Fishing permits are $ 5.00 for adults and $2.50 for kids. You also need a Calif. State Fishing License if you are 16 years of age or older. You can buy one day licenses for $10.25 and annual licenses for $28.10.

There is a complete tackle shop that carries everything you need to catch fish. Boat rentals are available. Motorboat rentals are $26.00 for the entire day or $21.00 after 1:00 PM. Rowboats are $13.00 all day or $11.00 after 1:00 PM.

During the Summer months we rent canoes and paddle boats at $7.00 per hour. We do not take reservations for boats and they are available on a first come basis. The only difficult days are Saturday and Sundays when the fishing is very good. To get a boat on those days you should arrive before 7:00 AM.

There is an excellent launch ramp from which private boats over 10 ft. long may be launched. There is no horsepower limit, however, there is a strictly enforced 10 mph speed limit. Canoes and kayaks are allowed only during the Summer. Only Zodiac type inflatable boats are allowed. No inflatable rafts.

RV Campsites with hookups are $18.00. RV Campsites without hookups are $13.00. Tent Campsites are $13.00. Non-angler access is $6.00 per car, payable only if there are no anglers in party.

For more info: (760) 765-0515

Directions

The fastest way to Lake Cuyamaca from Los Angeles, if you are South of the Garden Grove Freeway (22), is to take I-5 South to I-805 South to I-8 East to Hwy 79 North until you come to the lake. It takes about 2 hours from Santa Ana. Otherwise, take the 91 or the 60 or the I-10 East to I-15 South to Hwy 79 South at Temecula. The lake is 9 miles South of the town of Julian. Once you leave the freeway you are an hour away.

The best way from downtown San Diego is to take Interstate 8 East to State Hwy 79 North until you see the lake. Once you leave the freeway you are 15 minutes away.

Links

• Officail Lake Cuyamaca Website
• Map to Lake Cuyamaca
• Weather Forcast From Weather.com