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Fishing near San Diego, California
San Diego County, population 1,386,932.
- 6 milesto nearest lake
- 9launches nearby
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San Diego, California
Fishable water a drive from San Diego
The 2020 census counted 1,386,932 residents in San Diego, San Diego County. The nearest lake entry is Murray Reservoir, about 6 miles to the east. Mission Bay RV Resort is the closest named ramp, about 5 miles off.
No license is needed on Crystal Pier (Pacific Beach), the nearest pier at 7 miles. CDFW maps 7 MPAs inside 15 miles.
6 milesto Murray Reservoir
9launches within 15 mi
6piers within 25 mi
8shops within 15 mi
Lakes
Still water near San Diego
- Murray Reservoir6 miles east, 121.8 acres
- Chollas Reservoir7 miles southeast, 17.4 acres
- Lake Miramar7 miles north, 145 acres
- Santee Recreational Lakes8 miles east, 11.8 acres
- Lindo Lake13 miles east, 23.8 acres
- Lake Jennings15 miles east, 180 acres
Catch options on lakes by San Diego
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Black bass | 2 |
| Catfish | 2 |
| Hatchery trout | 2 |
| Wild trout | 2 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 1 |
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Where to fish near San Diego, mapped
- Mission Bay RV ResortMission Bay, 5 miles
- Campland on the BayMission Bay, 5 miles
- Murray Reservoir Boat Launch FacilityMurray Reservoir, 6 miles
- Lake Miramar Boat Launch FacilityLake Miramar, 7 miles
- Glorietta Bay Boat Launching RampSan Diego Bay, 10 miles
- Pier 32 MarinaSan Diego Bay, 11 miles
- National City (Pepper Park Ramp)San Diego Bay, 12 miles
- Bayfront Park – Chula Vista RampSan Diego Bay, 14 miles
- Lake San Vicente Boat Launch FacilitySan Vicente Reservoir, 14 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for San Diego.
Salt water
Bay water in reach of San Diego
Pier fishing around San Diego
- Crystal Pier (Pacific Beach)pier, 7 miles
- Embarcadero Pierpier, 8 miles
- Mission Bay Jetty Northjetty, 8 miles
- Coronado Fishing Pierpier, 8 miles
- Ocean Beach Pierpier, 8 miles
- Shelter Island Pierpier, 9 miles
Bays near San Diego
- Mission Bay6 miles
- San Diego Bay11 miles
- Batiquitos Lagoon21 miles
Where take is limited near San Diego
- Famosa Slough SMCA (No-Take)SMCA (No-Take), 7 miles
- Matlahuayl SMRSMR, 8 miles
- San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCASMCA, 8 miles
- South La Jolla SMRSMR, 9 miles
- South La Jolla SMCASMCA, 11 miles
- Cabrillo SMRSMR, 12 miles
- San Dieguito Lagoon SMCASMCA, 12 miles
Flow
River levels near San Diego
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tecolote C Ab Footbridge Nr San Diego Ca | 3 cfs, 2.34 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:00 pm |
| San Diego R A Fashion Valley At San Diego Ca | 135 cfs, 4.63 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:15 pm |
| Alvarado C Nr La Mesa Ca | 6 cfs, 1.91 ft gage height | Oct 12 4:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Local help
Supplies for San Diego anglers
Tackle stores around San Diego
- Bloody Decksbait and tackle shop, San Diego, 1 mile
- Aqua Faunabait and tackle shop, San Diego, 1 mile
- Turner's Outdoorsman #13sporting goods store, San Diego, 1 mile
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #028sporting goods store, San Diego, 1 mile
- Reel Big Luresbait and tackle shop, San Diego, 4 miles
- Two Padels & Fishbait and tackle shop, San Diego, 5 miles
- Stroud Tacklebait and tackle shop, San Diego, 5 miles
- Fly Fishing Landfly shop, San Diego, 5 miles
Where to buy a license near San Diego
- Walmart Store #2177department store, 1 mile
- Walmart Store #5338department store, 2 miles
- Summit Gasolinelicense agent, 6 miles
- Walmart Store #2479department store, 7 miles
Who guides San Diego
- Fisherman's Landingsportfishing landing / party boat, San Diego, (619) 221-8500
- H&M Landingsportfishing landing / party boat, San Diego, (619) 222-1144
- Point Loma Sportfishingsportfishing landing / party boat, San Diego, (619) 223-1627
- Seaforth Sportfishingsportfishing landing / party boat, San Diego, (619) 224-3383
- Malihinicharter / party boat, H&M Landing, (619) 985-5179
- New Lo-Ancharter / party boat, Point Loma Sportfishing, (619) 223-1627
- Ocean Odysseycharter / party boat, H&M Landing, (858) 277-7823
- Pacific Dawncharter / party boat, Fisherman's Landing, (619) 269-2186
- Pacific Queencharter / party boat, Fisherman's Landing, (619) 992-7686
- Pacificacharter / party boat, Seaforth Sportfishing, (619) 224-3383
Stocking
Where CDFW plants trout near San Diego
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray Reservoir | 6 miles | 6 | 2026-03-01 |
| Chollas Reservoir | 7 miles | 5 | 2026-06-21 |
| Lake Jennings | 15 miles | 6 | 2026-03-01 |
| Lake Wohlford | 26 miles | 6 | 2026-03-01 |
| Cuyamaca Lake | 35 miles | 10 | 2026-10-04 |
| Doane Pond | 39 miles | 7 | 2026-10-04 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
Limits
Bag rules around San Diego
San Diego anglers fish under the Southern District rules inland.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
Nearby
Beyond San Diego
Overnight options near San Diego
- La Mesa8 miles
- Santee9 miles
- El Cajon10 miles
- National City11 miles
San Diego on the county pages
- San Diego Countyseat: San Diego
In pictures
Pictures taken near San Diego
Photo: Rickbramhall, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dirk Hansen, CC BY 2.0
Photo: FASTILY, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Sebastian Wallroth, CC BY 4.0
Answers
Near San Diego, answered
Which lake can I fish from San Diego?
Murray Reservoir, 6 miles east.
Where does a boat go in near San Diego?
Mission Bay RV Resort is closest at 5 miles.
Which public piers stand near San Diego?
The nearest is Crystal Pier (Pacific Beach) at 7 miles.
Where does San Diego buy its bait?
The nearest is Bloody Decks.
Do charter boats sail from San Diego?
There are 44 guides and charters.
Which California county is San Diego part of?
San Diego County, California.
Are there no-take zones near San Diego?
Watch Famosa Slough SMCA (No-Take) and 6 others.
Which stream lies closest to San Diego?
Over 30 miles to a stream page.
Can tourists fish San Diego without a license?
One day $21.09, two days $32.4, for anyone 16 or older.