Reel In the Fun at Santee Lakes
The Santee Lakes fishing scene is heating up, and we’ve got the scoop on what’s biting this time of year. This week, anglers aboard 39 half-day to 3-day trips out of San Diego caught 14 bocaccio, 2 calico bass, 7 halibut (5 released), 151 lingcod, 2773 rockfish, 86 sand bass, 60 sanddab, 334 sculpin, 6 sheephead, 785 whitefish, and 8 yellowtail.
- Highlights of this week’s Santee Lakes fishing trip include
- • 151 lingcod caught
- • 2773 rockfish caught
- • 86 sand bass caught
- • 60 sanddab caught
- • 334 sculpin caught
- • 6 sheephead caught
- • 785 whitefish caught
- • 8 yellowtail caught
The Santee Lakes fishing scene is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The lakes offer a unique fishing experience, with a variety of fish species to target, including bass, catfish, and trout.
Rockfish on the Menu
As of April 1, rockfish are back on the menu for SoCal anglers, thanks to the opening of the season. This means that local half-day boats are able to get on them close to home, providing anglers with a less expensive option for getting out on the water. Additionally, the allowable depth for rockfish in the latter half of the season will be between 300 and 600 feet, giving anglers a better chance of catching them without having to drop as deep.
| Rockfish Season | Depth Allowance |
|---|---|
| Half-season (300 feet or less) | Less expensive option for anglers |
| Later half-season (300-600 feet) | Better odds for anglers, but still a challenge |
Dolphin, Premier, Daily Double, and More
The Dolphin, Premier, Daily Double, and other short-run fleet boats should see much more traffic through spring and into summer. This is due to the opening of the rockfish season, which will attract more anglers to the water. The Dolphin, Premier, and other short-run boats are great options for those looking for a more affordable and accessible fishing experience.
Bluefin and Offshore Action
Those bluefin everyone keeps seeing off the northern Baja coast? Well, the Polaris Supreme took a shot at them during a 3-day outing, and is catching them as I am writing, with 29 fish on board so far, ranging from 20-40 pounds. The boat had just begun their 2025 schedule of 2- and 3-day runs back-to-back after being offline for seasonal maintenance.
| Boat | Polaris Supreme |
|---|---|
| Catches | 29 bluefin fish, ranging from 20-40 pounds |
Port of San Diego’s Day at the Docks
The Port of San Diego’s Day at the Docks — the event that officially kicks off sportfishing season here in San Diego — will be this coming Sunday, April 13 from 9am to 5pm. Since its inception in 1979, Day at the Docks has primarily focused on introducing the public to the San Diego sportfishing fleet and the various organizations, businesses, and enterprises that both support and are supported by recreational fishing in the San Diego area.
- Activities at the Day at the Docks include
- • Fishing seminars
- • Kid’s Fishing Adventure
- • Open houses on boats
- • Catch and cook demonstrations
- • Casting competitions
- • Raffles
- • Live music
- • Boat tours
- • Much more
The Day at the Docks is free to enter, and parking is limited at the event venue, but free public parking is available on Shelter Island, with free round-trip shuttle service running from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm to and from the event.
Get Ready for an Action-Packed Weekend
With the opening of the rockfish season and the Port of San Diego’s Day at the Docks, this weekend is shaping up to be an action-packed one for sportfishing enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, there’s something for everyone at the Day at the Docks and on the water at Santee Lakes. So grab your rod, and get ready to reel in the fun!
