Dixon Lake catfish season is off to double fish caught each week -- yet another nice catfish hits the scales at 10 lbs 8 oz by local Carlsbad resident Jed Dickerson and his son Jed Jr. The kitty was lurking near the buoys and was caught on cut mackerel. The deeper waters of Whisker Bay, Catfish Cove, and the Buoy line have been the hotspots for the start of the catfish season. Dixon has stocked a total 3000 lbs of catfish since the 1st of July.

Night fishing started in July with Thursday and Friday nights only. Boat rentals will start at 5 PM each night with motorboats costing $30 and rowboats $14. Permits are needed for all visitors 8 and up. Dixon Lake will be stocking 1000 lbs of whisker fish again on July 28.The week of July 18-22 will be a skip week. Night fishing will be allowed in a designated area of shoreline till 11:45 and 10:30 PM for boats on the water with boats being docked by 10:45 PM. Other parts of the shoreline and picnic areas close at 8 PM. Cut mackerel, sardines and shrimp and been the best baits in the past.

Bluegill fishing has been a bit on the slower side, maybe due to the touch of cooler weather last week. The areas around the Boat Dock cove and off of Piers # 1 & 2 seem to have the more consistent bite. The Bluegills prefer the weedy portions of the lake. Try using small pieces of worms for the best bait.

At the present time, Dixon Lake no longer requires a California Fishing License from the Dept. of Fish & Game. Dixon Lake received and was granted an Aquaculture Permit. This permit will be valid again for 2011 and can be renewed on a yearly basis starting December 31 for our agency. All anglers 8 yrs. and older will still need a daily fishing Lake Permit. ALL other park rules, fishing regulations and City of Escondido municipal codes will remain in effect until further notice, other than no fishing license required.