Dixon Reservoir, California - Fishing & Camping Information

Fish Species

• Bass
• Bluegill
• Catfish
• Redear Sunfish
• Trout

Dixon Lake is a 70-acre lake located one mile northeast of the City of Escondido, CA. The dam at Lake Dixon was completed in 1971 as the result of a water storage act. Since its conception, Dixon was intended for recreational use, as well, as for water storage. During the construction of the dam, the park surrounding the lake was developed into a recreation facility with picnic shelters, campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing floats and a concession stand. Fish were stocked in the reservoir six years before opening the park to the public. The lake quickly gained a reputation for producing largemouth bass up to and including 20 pounds or more.

Dixon Lake has been made famous recently by a series of catches (likely the same bass) that have grasped national attention. In April of 2001, Mike Long of Poway, CA, caught a 20 pound 12 ounce. bass. Just over two years later, in June of 2003, Jed Dickerson of Carlsbad caught a 21 lb 11 oz bass. This is where it gets really interesting - the 21 pound 11 ounce monster is thought to be the same bass that Long caught (and released) in 2001. Made famous by her "beauty mark" the distinct bass has earned her share of publicity.

Despite the sheer numbers of large bass, Dixon has kept a low-profile on its bass fishery as San Diego has at least six other lakes that are better known for their bass fishing. Dixon is better known for its winter trout fishing and summer nighttime cat fishing both of which can be phenomenal.