Date: 11/18/11
Park Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Daily)
Dock Closes: 4:00 PM (Boats are called in @ 3:45 PM)
Last Plant: Nov 9th (4500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout)
Next Plant: Nov 22nd (1500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout)
Water Temperature: 58-60 degrees

Dixon Lake Trout season is here...As usual the trout are coming in big. The lake has received 6000 lbs. of prime grade "A" Nebraska tail walkers. Once again, double digit fish is a common theme around here. Dixon Lake's 33rd Annual Trout Derby was a huge success!!! A majority of the derby winners were over 8 pounds. Grand prize wasn't decided until the last day of the derby. Scott Clemons, pictured in our main photo, grabbed top spot with the grand prize trout weighing in at 11.17 lb. on a night crawler. The adult division was won by Ping Liu of Solana Beach with a 10.17 lb. The senior division was won by Phil Benson from Aguanga who weighed in a nice 3.22 lb. trout. The youth division was won by Jason Brower of Escondido who pulled in a 5.13 lb. trout. Smallest trout of the derby goes to Tom Sanchez with a .81 lb. trout. Other notable winners were Michael Rockafeller from Poway with a day 1 first place finish weighing in a 10.13 lb. trout. For best results for fishing for the elusive trout, try using the lightest line possible in the 2-4 lb. test line works best for these fish. Best baits so for trout have been Power bait in rainbow, green and orange does very well. White, red and orange color Power worms have been the lucky colors for big trout. The top lures are Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyant, and Rooster tail lures. Night crawlers are the trout's best friend and are good go-to bait when the bite slows down.

Dixon Lake catfish season has been over for several months now. A few cats are showing up in the early morning hours just after opening. Fewer and fewer catfish are showing up each week until a good winter's rain storm may stir up the action. After Saturday rainy day, this might do the trick to kick-in the catfish action again...Best baits have been in the past are cut mackerel, shrimp and chicken livers. Several nice sized bluegills have been reported this past week to the ranger station. Try using small pieces worms while fishing the gills.

The next stock will be planted with 1500 lbs. of Nebraska "Tail Walkers" trout on Nov. 22nd. For further information on the rules and stocking schedule, call the Dixon Lake Ranger Station at 760-839-4680.

At the present time, Dixon Lake no longer requires a California fishing license from the Dept. of Fish & Game. Dixon Lake received and was granted an Aquaculture Permit. This permit is valid again for 2011. All anglers 8 yrs. and older will still need a daily fishing lake permit. All other park rules, fishing regulations and City of Escondido municipal codes will remain in effect until further notice other than no fishing license required.