Fishing in San Diego

San Diego's waters are home to a plethora of game species and you never know what you'll hook. 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, 92123. 858/467-4201. www.dfg.ca.gov), 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.

Note that city reservoirs no longer sell snacks, drinks, bait, or fishing licenses, nor do they rent pedal boats or electric motors. Make sure to obtain your fishing license in advance. They also accept cash only for day-use fees.

County-operated Lake Jennings (10108 Bass Rd., Lakeside, 92040. 619/443-1031. www.lakejennings.org) is stocked with trout during the winter and catfish during the summer months; it's a popular fly-fishing spot. Like Lake Jennings, Lake Morena (2550 Lake Morena Dr., Campo, 91906. 619/478-5473. www.lakemorena.com) is open for fishing and camping. City-operated reservoirs, like Sutherland (22850 Sutherland Dam Rd., 92065. 619/668-2050) open March through September, weekends; is a good spot for catching bluegill and bass, but has no campgrounds. 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), and Lake Wohlford Cafe (760/749-6585) has live worms (not on the menu, of course and limited other fishing supplies, and rents rowboats and motorboats. Dixon Lake Campground (760/741-3328; 760/839-4680 ranger station) is city-administered and offers amenities similar to those of Lake Wohlford.

Fisherman's Landing (2838 Garrison St., Point Loma, 92106. 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, 92106. 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, 92109. 619/223-1681 or 888/834-2628. www.seaforthboatrental.com) can arrange a charter for an ocean adventure or rent you a sailboat, powerboat, or skiff from their Mission Bay, Coronado, or downtown San Diego location. Helgren's Sportfishing (315 Harbor Dr. S, Oceanside, 92054. 760/722-2133. www.helgrensportfishing.com) is your best bet in North County, offering the full assortment of trips from Oceanside Harbor.

Go Fish

The California Department of Fish and Game issues "Fishing Passports" showing 150 different species of fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish found throughout the state. Fishing aficionados can catch (and hopefully, release) in San Diego County many of the species listed, receiving a stamp for each species caught. See www.dfg.ca.gov for info.