All About Santee Lakes Fishing: Stocking Dates, Fees, Hours, Best Bait and More

FISHING INFORMATION

· California State Fishing License not required at Santee Lakes.

· Please visit www.santeelakes.com for a list of items that are temporarily banned because of the Quagga mussel.

Trout Stocking Dates:

Opening Weekend November 2nd and 3rd

Nov. 15, 29 

Dec. 13, 27

Jan. 10, 24 

Feb. 7, 14, 21

Mar. 7

Stock will arrive on or before the date above. Stocking dates and times are subject to change. 

Santee Lakes Daily Fishing Permit is required

Permit can be purchased at the General Store or the Park Office

Adult (ages 16 & older):$9.00 per day

Junior (ages up to 15):$6.00 per day

Annual Permit (Seniors 65+, Youth 15 & Under, Disabled):$55.00 per year

Extra Pole Stamp (maximum 2 poles total):$4.00 per day

Night Fishing (registered campers only)

Adult (ages 16 & older):$6.00 per night

Junior (ages up to 15):$3.00 per night

Night Fishing is limited to Lakes 6 & 7 only between 5pm and 11pm. Permits available at the Park Office

One child age 6 and under may fish for free when accompanied by a paid adult.

Non-compliance fee will be assessed by Park Staff when fishing without a Permit.

Creel limits for all fish, with the exception of bass which is strictly “catch and release”, shall not exceed a combined total (5) fish per person, per day.

BASS ARE CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY.

Non-compliance fee, plus a per pound fee for fish over the creel limit, will be assessed by Park Staff if limit is exceeded.

Park hours: Fri.-Sun: 6:00 am to Sunset; Mon.-Thurs: 8:00am to Sunset

Store hours: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm

Channel Catfish:  Mackerel, stink bait, chicken liver, dough bait, mealworms & night crawlers.

Rainbow Trout: Power Bait (chartreuse/rainbow work best), Power Worms, rooster tail, kastmaster lures and similar “fly” lures, red worms & nightcrawlers.

Largemouth Bass:  Spinner & crank baits, 4-6" dark plastic worms, artificial lures (i.e. minnow Rapalas), nightcrawlers.

Bluegill:  Mealworms and red worms most notably.

Santee Lakes fish varieties include Bass, Catfish, Rainbow Trout (Winter only), Bluegill, and Carp.  All lakes range in depths from 5 to 12 feet.

The use of corn, minnows, frogs, goldfish, or other game fish as bait is not permitted. The use of any attractant or chum is not permitted.  

$150 non-compliance fee for any fishing violation will be strictly enforced.