Date: 2/1/20
Park hours: 6:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Dock closes: 4:30 P.M. Boats sales end: 3:00 P.M.
Last Plant: 1500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout January 22nd
Next Plant: 1500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout February 5th
Water temperature: At surface: 54.94°F, 8.44 D.O. @ 15' 55.76°F, 8.37 D.O.
Water level: High level, private water craft/fish finders are currently banned.
Water Clarity: High (25ft)

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. If you desire to fish with a second pole, make sure to pick up a second rod permit for an additional $2. We do not require a CA state fishing license; however, Rangers do strictly enforce the required fishing permits and fresh water regulations.

Trout: We will be stocking 1500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout this coming Wednesday the 5th. Power worms have been producing large fish in the whisker bay area. Mini jigs have been working very well near the buoy line as well as whisker bay on stock days. We are seeing Anglers catch their limits even on the weeks we do not stock. If you are planning to fish on one the days we stock, you will typically have the most luck fishing from whisker bay or near the buoy line from one of our boats. The trout will progress their way throughout the rest of the lake within the first several days after a stock. Trout Cove and Jack Creek areas continue to be promising locations for trout fishing. Anglers seeking trout have also reached limits fishing from south shoreline and boat dock cove in the early morning. A two-pound test set up with a 12” to 18” leader is recommended. Mini jigs and power bait have been the primary choice of bait for anglers this season. Chartreuse colored power bait is still doing well in trout cove. We are stocking trout periodically until April of this year. Our trout are being sourced from Mt. Lassen Rainbow 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.

Catfish: During trout season, you can occasionally catch catfish while using power bait. This has primarily been occurring in trout cove. The Catfish bite has been decent due to the recent trout stocks. Although we have concluded stocking catfish for the year, catfish are present year round in Dixon Lake. The catfish are very active in the afternoon before closing. Night Crawlers have been the most successful choice of bait for anglers in the post-catfish season. The productive areas have been the South Shoreline and the Buoy line in the afternoon hours before closing. 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. Catfish have a limit of 5 at this time.

Bass: As temperatures rise, the Bass are entering the pre-spawn phase. We will begin seeing Bass spawning in the coming months. At this time the Bass are active in search of food and are biting on drop shot and smaller swim baits. It is a good time to practice different fishing techniques during the period that we are stocking trout. Largemouth bass have been very active in the hours before dusk. Jerk baits and swim baits have been producing good results for fisherman using our boats. Small lures have also been working well. When fishing in the early morning hours, top water lures tend to be a good choice if you are fishing near the reeds or in an area with lots of aquatic vegetation. Boat Dock Cove has shown to be a preferred location for bass habitats. Just a reminder, bass must be at least 12 inches to keep with a limit of 2 at this time.

Bluegill: The bluegill bite has slowed. Night crawlers have been the most successful choice of bait for catching bluegill in the past weeks. Bluegill often times respond better to smaller or cut up night crawlers. The piers prove to be promising locations for bluegill in the late afternoon hours. 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.

Notable recent catches:
Trout: Shane Foster 12.10 lb (January), Jonathan Pimentel 9.4 lb 1/4/20, Eric Sabo 9.1 lb 12/21/19, Roy Sepulveda 8.4 lb 1/31/19, Dino Santo 7.82 lb & Sonny Shaw 7.74 lb 12/6/19
Bass: Tracy Hartman 11.8 lb (April 2019)
Catfish: David Contizano 24.9 lb (July 2019), Diego Saldana 23.5lb (August 2019)
Crappie: Dorothy Le 1.1 lb (June 2019)

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 $18, or an all-day row boat for $12. Fishing permits are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors over 60. Youths permits (for children ages 8-15) are $5.00.

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
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 $2.00. 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.