Big Lake is a lake in California, near San Diego County.
Big Lake in San Diego County is a lake in California and covers about 21.7 acres, reaches about 20.6 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 178.7 acre-feet.
The small size of Big Lake makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle.
Fish listed for Big Lake include Arroyo Chub, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Rainbow Trout.
To begin with black crappie on Big Lake, fish a small jig or minnow around wood, weeds, and sharp little drops.
When bluegill are the target on Big Lake, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets.
For largemouth bass on Big Lake, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover.
One direct channel catfish tactic on Big Lake is to fish cut bait or a nightcrawler on the bottom along a channel edge or warm flat.
Other targets listed here include Rainbow Trout, and Common Carp; give each one its own bait and depth instead of trying to catch everything with the same rig; look for a clean edge beside cover, then use the old channel as a guide.
Start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it; fish the warmest edge early in spring, then keep the bait above soft bottom.
Shallow water is worth a careful look in spring and again during fall; bright summer days favor shade, weeds, or deeper breaks; under ice, a small depth change can be more useful than a long move; match lure size to the visible food, then write down the depth that works.
A light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control; fish the windy and calm sides differently; watch water color during the day.
Record the wind, water color, depth where the school held, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce; keep the bait near useful cover.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.