Lower Otay Lake is an artificial lake in San Diego County, California, flanked by Otay County Open Space Preserve and Chula Vista. The reservoir is formed by impounding the waters of the Otay River, behind Savage Dam, completed in 1918, and is the terminus for the Second San Diego Aqueduct. When full, Lower Otay Reservoir has 1,100 surface acres, a maximum water depth of 137.5 feet, and 25 shoreline miles. Lower Otay Reservoir is owned by the City of San Diego and is the home of the United States Olympic Training center for rowing sports.
Lower Otay’s picnic area has 13 barbecues and 16 picnic tables. Visitors can bring self contained gas barbecues for use in designated areas only. Ground fires, glass containers and camping are not allowed at the park.
Otay, Lower and Upper will be closed the second Wednesday of each month
Concession & Rentals
Open Wed, Sat & Sun
Sunrise-Sunset
LAKE PERMITS (Cash only) | |
Adult Fishing Permit | $11.00 |
Youth Fishing Permit | $4.00 |
Senior Fishing Permit | $6.00 |
Boat Launch Permit | $11.00 |
Advance Boat Launch Permit | $7.00 |
Advance Fishing Permit | $8.00 |
Kayak Launch | $6.00 |
Prices are subject to change at anytime. |
BOAT RENTALS
Drivers License and Deposit are required on all boats. $10 Late Fee applies to all boats returned after time due back. All boats are rented on a first come basis.
Rental Hours: Sunrise – Sunset (Boat rentals are due back 1 hr. before sunset)
4 Passenger (Max) Fishing Boat with Motor | |
2 Hours (Minimum) | $45.00 |
Each Additional Hour | $15.00 |
Deposit | $100.00 |
All Day | $100.00 |
2nd Anchor Deposit | $20.00 |
Pontoon Boat |
|
2 Hours (Minimum) | $130.00 |
Each Additional Hour | $60.00 |
Deposit | $250.00 |
All Day | $240.00 |
4 Passenger (Max) Rowboat | |
Half Day (5 Hrs) | $15.00 |
Full Day | $30.00 |
Deposit | $30.00 |
Kayaks | |
First Hour | Single: $15.00 Double: $20.00 |
Each Additional Hour | Single: $15.00 Double: $20.00 |
Deposit | Single: $24.00 Double: $30.00 |
FISHING
Lower Otay is open for fishing and boating sunrise to sunset Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday all year around. It has largemouth bass, bluegill, black and white crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, white catfish and bullhead. Department of Fish & Game stock trout November thru March. The minimum size limit for bass is 12 inches. Fish limits are five bass, five catfish, five trout, and 25 crappie and bluegill in aggregate, with no limit on other species.
Fishing permits are available at the concession, cash only and at the Iron Ranger pay stations (exact change required). You must be have a California State Fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older.
CONCESSION
Lower Otay’s concession is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday’s only, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The store carries live bait, ice cream, picnic supplies, soft drinks, snacks, and fishing tackle. You can also purchase fishing permits and California State fishing licenses. Boat rentals are available on a first come basis.
BOATING
Rental rowboats, motorboats, and kayaks are available, for fishing and recreational boating, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sundays, all year.
Private boaters are welcome and pay a small launch ramp usage fee. Canoes, kayaks and float tubes are permitted. Float tubers must follow standard regulations which include waterproof waders, 144 sq. in. orange for visibility, horn or whistle and spare floatation device. Any float tube that uses oars or has a motor must purchase a private boat use permit. No swimming is allowed.
For information on trails please check the San Dieguito River Park’s web site at sdrp.org
DIRECTIONS
From Interstate 805, take Olympic Parkway, exit east. Turn right on Wueste Road south and continue to the reservoir entrance.
BOAT RENTALS
Drivers License and Deposit are required on all boats. $10 Late Fee applies to all boats returned after time due back. All boats are rented on a first come basis.
Rental Hours: Sunrise – Sunset (Boat rentals are due back 1 hr. before sunset)
4 Passenger (Max) Fishing Boat with Motor | |
2 Hours (Minimum) | $45.00 |
Each Additional Hour | $15.00 |
Deposit | $100.00 |
All Day | $100.00 |
2nd Anchor Deposit | $20.00 |
Pontoon Boat |
|
2 Hours (Minimum) | $130.00 |
Each Additional Hour | $60.00 |
Deposit | $250.00 |
All Day | $240.00 |
4 Passenger (Max) Rowboat | |
Half Day (5 Hrs) | $15.00 |
Full Day | $30.00 |
Deposit | $30.00 |
Kayaks | |
First Hour | Single: $15.00 Double: $20.00 |
Each Additional Hour | Single: $15.00 Double: $20.00 |
Deposit | Single: $24.00 Double: $30.00 |