Fishing in San Diego

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Fishing

Live out your deep-water fishing fantasies of wrestling with a bluefin tuna or hauling in a shark from a local pier. San Diego's waters are home to a plethora of game species and you never know what you'll hook into. Depending on the season, a half- or full-day ocean charter trip could bring in a yellowfin, dorado, sea bass, or halibut. Longer trips to Mexican waters can net you bigger game like a marlin or a bigeye tuna. Pier fishing doesn't offer as much potential excitement, but it's the cheapest ocean fishing option available. No license is required to fish from a public pier, such as the Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, and Oceanside piers. Public lakes are frequently stocked with a variety of trout and largemouth bass, but also have resident populations of bluegill and catfish. A fishing license from the California Department of Fish and Game (4949 Viewridge Ave., San Diego. 858/467-4201), available at most bait-and-tackle and sporting-goods stores, is required for fishing from the shoreline. Nonresidents can purchase an annual license or a 10-day, 2-day, or 1-day short-term license. Children under 16 do not need a license.

County-operated Lake Jennings (10108 Bass Rd., Lakeside. 858/694-3049) and Lake Morena (2550 Lake Morena Dr., Campo. 858/694-3049) are popular for fishing and camping. City-operated reservoirs, like Sutherland (Sutherland Dam Rd.) and San Vicente (Moreno Ave.) are good spots for catching trout and bass, but have no campgrounds. For information, call 619/668-3274. Three freshwater lakes -- Dixon, Hodges, and Wohlford -- surround the North County city of Escondido. On the south shore of Lake Wohlford, camping is allowed at the Oakvale RV Park (760/749-2895); there's a supply store and a boat ramp. On the north shore, there's camping at Lake Wohlford Resort (760/749-2755), complete with stores selling food, drinks, bait, tackle, and camping supplies. Boats can be rented at the boat ramp. Dixon Lake Campground (760/741-3328; 760/839-4680 ranger station) is city-administered and offers similar amenities as the areas at Wohlford.

Fisherman's Landing (2838 Garrison St., Point Loma. 619/221-8500. www.fishermanslanding.com) has a fleet of luxury vessels from 57 feet to 124 feet long, offering long-range multiday trips in search of yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, and other deep-water fish. Whale-watching and sometimes whale-petting trips are also available. H&M Landing (2803 Emerson St., Point Loma. 619/222-1144. www.hmlanding.com) schedules fishing trips, plus whale-watching excursions from December through March. Seaforth Boat Rentals (1641 Quivira Rd., Mission Bay. 619/223-1681. www.seaforthboatrental.com) can take you out on Mission Bay in a rowboat or power skiff or can arrange a charter for an ocean adventure. Helgren's Sportfishing (315 Harbor Dr. S, Oceanside. 760/722-2133. www.helgrensportfishing.com) is your best bet in North County, offering the full assortment of trips from Oceanside Harbor.