Crazy for Catfish: Anglers Hooked on Santee Lakes at Friday Stocking

Story and photos by Chris Stone

After rising early on the first day of summer, 12-year-old Alex Nowicki joined his family at Santee Lakes Recreational Preserve in search of jumping catfish.

Alex joined his father, grandfather and brother to get in on the stocking of 1,000 pounds of catfish into Lakes 4 and 5. 

“It’s fun to get out and get away from (video) games,” said Nowicki of the Lake Elsinore area. “I normally sleep in, but it’s so fun bringing (fish) in.”

Michael and Cherie Mills of Poway were perched on a small bridge nearby, waiting for the fresh supply.

“It’s clean and usually quiet here,” Michael Mills said, adding that he has caught the five-fish limit there before.

The couple were trying mealworms, mackerel and shrimp as bait.

Mills said night fishing has been successful and thought the lake’s supply was in definite need of a fresh supply.

Others caught bass or bluegills, but such fish are in the catch-and release category.

Video: Chuting into Santee Lakes, 1,000 Pounds of Catfish Take a Tumble

Catfish and Rainbow trout are stocked on a seasonal basis. Bass and bluegill are prevalent in the lakes.

Imperial Catfish Co. supplied the lakes Friday, and 1,000 pounds are trucked in many Fridays from April to August. Two workers emptied a flatbed truck with metal containers—sometimes by hand via large nets and sometimes via three-sided chutes running from the truck, the fish cascading off the end.

The process lasted but a few minutes at each stocking. Within minutes, the lake was alive with splashing cats.

North Lake 4 close to shore is considered the best catfish spot, according to the Santee Lakes website. Adult permits are $9 for the day for the public and $6 at night for campers. Juniors, 15 and younger, can fish for $6 a day and $3 for campers. Lakes 6 and 7 are for registered campers only.

Santee Lakes is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to a half-hour before dusk. On Friday through Sunday, it’s 6 a.m. to a half-hour before dusk. Fees are $3 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 per vehicle on weekends and holidays.

Movies by the Lake startrd Friday with Despicable Me followed by Madagascar 3 on July 5, Wreck-it Ralph on July 19, The Avengers on Aug. 2 and Rise of the Guardians on Aug. 16. 

Gates open at 9310 Fanita Parkway at 4 p.m. Movies start around 8 p.m. and are free, but parking is $8.

Games and contests for the kids will precede the movies around 7 p.m.