Lake Hodges in San Diego, California For Fishing & Camping

Fish Species

• Bluegill
• Carp
• Catfish
• Crappie
• Largemouth Bass

Lake Paul Hodges or Paul Hodges Reservoir is located in Southern California about 31 miles north of San Diego and just south of Escondido, CA. When full, the reservoir has 1,234 surface acres, a maximum water depth of 115 feet and 27 miles of shoreline. Interstate 15 crosses Lake Hodges via the Lake Hodges Bridge, which is the only inland route to San Diego. Approximately 1,000 feet west of the I-15 freeway bridge there is a bicycle/pedestrian bridge which opened on May 15, 2009 and is the longest stressed ribbon bridge in the world. Hodges Reservoir is owned by the city of San Diego and supplies water to the San Dieguito Water District and Santa Fe Irrigation District.

Lake Hodges is known for its largemouth Bass. Very few lakes can claim a 20 pound or more fish. Lake Hodges is also a great place for catching crappies. Other fish you can find are bluegill, bullhead, carp and channel catfish. This mysterious lake has another reported aquatic specie. It is said that Lake Hodges holds a creature in the belly of its depths. Something that might be a cousin to Nessy, the Loc Ness Monster! Residents call this creature Hodgee after the lake. Lake Hodges is open to fishing Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays sunrise to sunset, March through October.


Overnight camping is not allowed at Lake Hodges. The nearest camping is at Lake Dixon, approximately 10 miles east of Escondido.