There are no concession services at the City Reservoirs, no sale of State fishing licenses, bait, food or drinks. They will not be renting pedalboats or electric motors at this time. Please make sure you bring you own bait, and refreshments, and obtain your State fishing license in advance. Reservoirs are accepting cash only, no credit or ATM cards.

Reservoir staff will be selling daily permits and renting rowboats and fishing boats with 5 hp motors on certain days only (please check each lake schedule below). Miramar and Murray also rent hourly canoes. Lower Otay, Murray and Sutherland also rent single and tandem kayaks. Check individual lake schedules below for rental days.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times and kept at least 50 feet away from the water. They are not permitted on private or rental boats.

Lake hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on open days only.

NOTICE: Due to increased security measures, vessels may be inspected as a requirement for entry into the reservoirs.

Current Operating Schedules:

For general City Reservoir information not found on these pages, please call our office (Monday through Friday) at 619-668-2050 or email ssmith@sandiego.gov.

Barrett is now closed to fishing.

Waterfowl hunting is offered on a Wednesday and Saturday schedule. See Hunting section below for more infomation.

El Capitan is now open on its winter schedule as follows:

Lake hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday - fishing, general boating only (no water contact).

Sunday - fishing, general boating, and water contact (waterskiing, wakeboarding and towing inflatables). Water contact in the front bay and the North Arm.

Tuesday and Wednesday - closed.

Kayaks are permitted Thursday through Monday.

Rental boats are only available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and on Sundays they stop renting boats out at 10:00 a.m.

On Saturdays and Sundays there is a limit of 120 vessels (boats and jetskis) total on the lake at one time.

All persons (age 8 and older) entering reservoir property are required to pay daily use fees.

Hodges is closed to all on water activities until February 2009.

For information on trails that are open or closed please check the San Dieguito River Park's web site at sdrp.org

Lower Otay is open for fishing and general boating on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday only, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Iron Ranger Pay Stations are available to purchase permits (please bring exact change).

Otay is not renting boats during the winter (November, December and January), but will remain open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for shore fishing and private boats.

Kayaks are permitted Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only.

Miramar is open to fishing and private boats seven days a week from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. There are no boat rentals during October and November. The picnic area, and perimeter road are open seven days a week, however, vehicles are only allowed on the road Saturday through Tuesday. Lake hours on all days are sunrise to sunset. Patrons can now walk completely around the lake, a distance of 4.92 miles. Gates to the dam close at sunset, same as the main gates/parking lot.

Kayaks are permitted seven days a week.

Murray is open for shore fishing and private boats seven days a week from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. There are no boat rentals during October and November. Permits can be purchased from Iron Ranger Pay Stations around the lake or from the electronic pay station by the concession building. The picnic area and perimeter road are open seven days a week. Lake hours on all days are sunrise to sunset.

Kayaks are permitted seven days a week. .

San Vicente is now closed to all public access and recreation for construction on the San Diego County Water Authority's San Vicente Dam Raise Project.

It is expected to be closed for 6-9 years and reopen between 2014 and 2017.

For questions about the project, please call the toll-free project information line at 877-426-2010. or check the San Diego County Water Authority's web site at www.sdcwa.org and click on San Vicente Dam Raise.

Sutherland Reservoir is closed to all fishing and boating.

Waterfowl hunting is offered on a Thursday and Sunday schedule. See Hunting section below for more information.

Upper Otay is open for fishing on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday only from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Upper Otay is a catch and release only fishery. Bait is not permitted, only artificial lures with barbless hooks. Boats are not permitted on Upper Otay, only shore fishing, waders and float tubes. During November, December, and January, patrons cannot drive into Upper Otay, but can park along the road and hike in.

Hunting

Waterfowl hunting's 2008-2209 season runs from Oct. 18, 2008 to Jan. 25, 2009.

To be added to the mailing list for the 2008-2009 waterfowl season or the 2009 turkey season, call 619-668-2050, or email ssmith@sandiego.gov and include your physical mailing address and which hunting list you want to be included in.

There are still reservations available for all remaining hunting days at Sutherland, and for many of the hunting dates at Barrett.

Boat Reservations

Fish Stocking

Special Events

For more details on special events at the City Reservoirs, or if you would like to have an event at one of the City Reservoirs, please call (619) 668-2050 or email ssmith@sandiego.gov for more information on fees and regulations and to request an application form.

Club Bass Fishing Tournaments

To hold a night tournament, a tournament on a closed day, or any other type of on-water event at a City Reservoir, please download our application form (PDF: 27K) .

Form should be returned to ssmith@sandiego.gov or faxed to 619-443-7681.