Lake Otay

Lower Otay Reservoir is located about 30 minutes south of downtown San Diego, close to the Mexico border. This reservoir is home to the United States Olympic Training Center and is known to be one of the best bass fisheries on the west coast.
Construction of Lower Otay Reservoir Dam was completed in 1897 and is the 3rd reservoir in 10 years by San Diego County. In 1916, heavy rains filled the the reservoir beyond capacity and completely destroyed the dam. Two years later, the City of San Diego finished constuction of a new and improved dam. Lower Otay Reservoir has 1,100 surface acres, 25 miles of shoreline, and a water depth of 137.5 ft. The U.S. Olympic Committee built a training center for The U.S. Olympic Rowing Team in 1990. The training center is called Arco Olympic Training Center.
Lower Otay is equally matched with quality and quantity bass fishing. With old dead trees protruding from the water and jumbo size rockpiles stationed in the lake makes for a surpreme habitat for bass. The first day of fishing season always has a very long line of trucks pulling extravagant freshwater boats. They start to line up a couple of days before the season opener. Lower Otay Reservoir is also a HUGE catfish repository. This lake held the record for the largest catfish untill San Vicente produced a 101 lb. fish. The types of fish that you will find are Florida Strain Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, White Catfish, and Bullhead.