Trout: More big Mt. Lassen trout have been dumped on top of a killer bite!??If you haven't made the trek to Lake Morena this season, you aren't serious about trout fishing. We are having our best season in 10 years, and the big fish tally just won't stop. Three anglers fishing from one vessel literally stringered a boatload of fish. Tom Bossard's 11 lb. 4 oz. trophy was followed by Tommy Bossard's 6 lb. 4 oz. fish, and Steve Dart's 9 lb. 7 oz. rainbow anchored a 15-fish, three-man limit. The anglers all hail from Jacumba and used Power Bait. Richie Bowman made the trip up the hill from Encinitas and returned to the beach with 5 fish including a 10 lb. 14 oz. beauty fooled on a rainbow spoon. We feel bad we can't put all the monsters in this report, but all the fish less than ten pounds just aren't big enough to make the cut this week. Come up and check out our "Wall of Fame"??for this banner year.
Bass:??Surface temperature climbed to 56 degrees and the bass have started to move a bit. Fish were reported on jigs and plastics.
Bluegill: Still a few perch landed on night crawlers soaked for trout.
Crappie: One crappie landed on a Kast Master.
Catfish: Still cats to be had but most anglers are targeting trout.
Note: No open flames are allowed during Red Flag warnings..
Boat launch conditions: Not recommended for anything over 19 feet.
Boat rentals are available seven days a week and holidays.
As of January 1, 2009, new weekday discounts on boat rentals and fishing permits apply.
Be sure to bring your catch in to the ranger station to weigh and record your fish on our new hanging scale. This helps park staff keep track of the fish population and you may also get your name in the local paper! The maximum creel limit for trout, bass, or catfish is five fish per person. Limits for crappie and bluegill are 25 per angler. There is no "catch and release" of trout. Bass must be at least 12 inches long to keep.
The lake is open daily for fishing and boating. Park hours for fishing and day use are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. No swimming at Lake Morena County Park. Motorboats and rowboats are available seven days a week. Motorboats rent for $40 on weekends, $20 weekdays except holidays; rowboats are $20 weekends, $10 during the week. You may provide your own motor on a rowboat. Our boat ramp will accommodate vessels up to 18 feet long. Watch out for submerged rocks!
For daily fishing updates, call Lake Morena's recorded fishing line at (619) 478-5473. A California Sport Fishing License (not sold at the park) is required for all anglers 16 years and older (under Section 7145a of the Fish and Game Code), in addition to the lake's daily fishing permit, which is available at the ranger station.
If you are planning to camp with us in the near future, be sure to make your reservations early. Our toll free reservation number, 1-877-565-3600 (858-565-3600 local), is answered Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The folks at the reservation desk would be glad to help you. Our on-line reservation system allows you to make camping reservations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
South Shore Campground: Reservations are required for camping at the main campground of the South Shore. This campground offers partial hookup sites (water and electric), as well as several developed sites. The main restroom offers hot showers and flush toilets, and is handicapped accessible.
The dump station is currently closed. Please use the Buckman Springs rest area.
North Shore Primitive Campground: This campground is closed until further notice because of the lake's low water level.
