Date: 19 May 2023
Park hours: 6:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Dock closes: 6:45 P.M. Boats rentals end: 6:00 P.M
Last Plant: 1,500 lbs. of Trout: April 18th
Next Plant: No date set yet. Next stocking will be for Catfish season.
Night Fishing will be open after July 4th
Water temperature: At surface: 67.1°F, 11.32 D.O.
At 15 feet: 66.92°F, 11.04 D.O.
Water level: Moderate, private water craft/fish finders are currently banned.
Water Clarity: Great (27’11”)
Fishing permits, boat rentals, bait, and tackle are all sold at the Concessions Stand right next to the Ranger Station in the Lakeshore Area. Anglers "Must!" purchase a fishing permit before casting out to catch the big one.
ADULT PERMIT: $9 SENIOR PERMIT: $6 YOUTH PERMIT: $6
If you desire to fish with a second pole, make sure to pick up a second rod permit for an additional $3. We do not require a CA state fishing license; however, Rangers do strictly enforce the required fishing permits and fresh water regulations.
Bass: As we are getting closer to springtime, there has been an increase of reports of anglers catching bass. Bass are currently moving into post spawn. Swim baits have worked well for catching bass as well as red Power bait and nightcrawlers. Drop shot rigs set up with Roboworms, or Texas rigs set up with Senkos continue to be a good method as well. Largemouth bass can typically be found in shallow water and are likely to be found swimming under something that provides shade such as vegetation or a pier. The areas around boat dock have been popular with bass. In water bodies that contain aquatic vegetation, you may find it advantageous to use slightly heavier line. Just a reminder, bass must be at least 12 inches to keep with a limit of 2 at this time.
Catfish: Catfish have been biting more as of recent and are typically very active in the early morning as well as in the evening. Considering that catfish are primarily bottom feeders, setting up your rig with a weight that allows your bait to sink near the bottom will generally render good results. Catfish prefer bait with the strongest scent. Cut up mackerel, chicken liver and shrimp are typically the preferred bait of cat fisherman, recently shrimp seems to be working best. Catfish have a limit of 5 at this time. Catfish seem to be caught more at catfish cove, the buoy line and halfway down the south shoreline.
Trout: The Trout catching limit is 5! "No Catch & Release of Trout."
Please make sure you are familiar with the current freshwater fishing regulations prior to fishing here at Dixon Lake as we do strictly enforce these regulations. Trout fishing does very well around our stock days, especially since the water temperature is perfect for trout. Even though we have not stocked with trout, anglers have still been catching their trout limit ranging from 6-9 pounds. Chartreuse and Rainbow Garlic power bait usually do really well. Jig baits work as well; anglers prefer the grasshopper color jigs, but there have been reports of anglers catching on other brighter colors as well. Anglers have had much success by using cast masters, mainly pink and blue. The hot spots for catching trout are Whisker Bay, Trout Cove, and the shoreline to the right of the boat dock. Typically, you will see two-five pound trout being caught as the average; nine pounders being the heaviest.
Bluegill: There have not been many reports of bluegill being caught at this time; when they do catch, anglers would catch small bluegill close to the surface. You may be able to retrieve larger bluegill when allowing your bait to sink deeper into the lake more than likely by the buoy line. Meal worms and red worms are still the best choice of bait for the time being. Using cut up night crawlers for bait is also a good method. The piers and shorelines are promising locations for catching bluegill. Bluegill are limited to 25 of any size at this time.
There is a ban on private water craft and equipment at this time. Restricted equipment includes: private boats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders, anchors, and any other equipment that contacts the water.
For more information on park rules, future stocking schedules, and other information, please call the Dixon Lake Ranger station at 760-839-4680, or visit http://www.dixonlake.com. Dixon Lake can be found on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/dixonlakecitypark
Notable recent catches:
Trout: Kyle Chung 9.7lbs. 3/5/23, Josh Reese 9.1lbs 3/31/22, Ali Pour 9lbs 2/14/23, Kamil Harvell 9lbs 5oz 2/15/23, Matthew H. 8.25lbs 1/19/23
April 2023 Derby Winners: Alex Najera 5.78lbs. (Largest Trout over Entire Event), Lucio Yanez 5.23lbs. (Adult Prize for Largest Trout over Entire Event), Manny Ramos 2.19lbs. (Senior Prize for Largest Trout over Entire Event), Makenzie Pierini 3.54lbs. (Junior Prize for Largest Trout over Entire Event)
Bass: David Contano 18 lbs 6/30/2020
Catfish: Aiden (last name unknown) 56lb ***New Lake Record*** 06/23/2022 Brandon and Ethan Counts 48.5lb; 04/05/2022, Jimmy Hong 47.79lb 7/16/2021, Cameron Gruwell 30.4 Lb 1/31/2021, Freddy 17.1lb 07/22/2021
Crappie: Dorothy Le 1.1 lb (June 2019)
Bluegill: Jerome Jones 1.8 lb 7/27/2021
Dixon Lake staff encourages anglers who qualify to take advantage of "Senior/Military Wednesdays." Senior citizens 60+ years of age as well as any military personnel are eligible to rent an all-day motor boat for $20. Fishing permits are $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for seniors over 60. Youths permits (for children ages 8-15) are $6.00.
Dixon Lake has been granted an Aquaculture Permit by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This means that anglers are not required to have a California fishing license while fishing at Dixon Lake; however, all anglers 8 years and older must purchase a daily lake fishing permit. A second rod permit can be purchased for an additional $3.00. Fishing permits are available for purchase at the concession stand near the Ranger station. You must have a valid fishing permit with you before you begin fishing in our lake. Make sure to keep your fishing permit on your person at all times when fishing. All other park rules, fishing regulations and City of Escondido municipal codes will remain in effect and will be enforced by Park Rangers.