Santee Recreational Lakes Fishing near Santee, California

• Overview

  Santee Recreational Lakes is a San Diego County water, California side. The shore lies 13 miles out. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our California listings. Santee is the closest place, 1.9 miles off. It is 4.3 miles to El Cajon, the nearest city. Near neighbours: Spot 4 out at 0.1 miles, Spot 5 0.2 miles away, Spot 8 out at 0.6 miles, Spot 10 1.3 miles away and Hollis Lake out at 1.6 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Santee Recreational Lakes

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Nearby survey and observation records mention bluegill, common carp, rainbow trout and green sunfish. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. Treat Santee Recreational Lakes as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 56°F in January to roughly 74°F in August. There is no cold season worth the name. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. On Santee Recreational Lakes the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. There is a jetty 110 yards off, worth knowing on a busy day. There are toilets 160 yards off. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Spot 4 at 0.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Santee Recreational Lakes is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.