Lake Hodges is a picturesque reservoir located in San Diego County, California, about 31 miles north of San Diego and just south of Escondido. When full, this 1,234-acre reservoir reaches a maximum depth of 115 feet and features 27 miles of shoreline, making it a diverse and productive fishing destination. Created in 1918 with the construction of Hodges Dam on San Dieguito Creek, Lake Hodges serves as a water supply for the San Dieguito Water District and Santa Fe Irrigation District while simultaneously offering excellent recreational fishing opportunities. The lake is renowned for its healthy populations of game fish, particularly largemouth bass, which can reach trophy sizes in these fertile waters.
Learn what type of fish are at Lake Hodges and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Oreochromis aureus
Lepomis macrochirus
Ictalurus punctatus
Cyprinus carpio
Learn how to get on Lake Hodges. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
What you need to float or boat Lake Hodges, and when to apply.
Boater pass · All boaters · Required Feb 1 to Oct 31
Every boat, kayak, canoe and paddleboard on Lake Hodges needs a daily permit from the pay station, cash or check, on the days the reservoir is open.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with City of San Diego Reservoirs and Recreation
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
In California, anyone under the age of 16 or above is required to get a sport fishing license to take any fish; shell fish, reptile or amphibian in the state.
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
The courts have described the reach of the California public right of navigation as “the right to navigate and to exercise the incidents of navigation in a lawful manner at any point below high water mark” on waters that satisfy California’s small craft test. Thus, property owners cannot interfere with the public’s right to navigate or use shoreline areas below the ordinary high water mark for incidents of navigation. In fact, unauthorized obstruction of the public’s right to access and use a navigable waterway constitutes a public nuisance.
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Download the map around Lake Hodges to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Hodges to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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See the best times to fish Lake Hodges and check the forecast before you go.
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