Many of us are enjoying the cooler weather and enjoying the outdoors without the heat. To local anglers, cooler weather means trout season.

On Friday, November 19, we’re launching Trout Season at Lake Jennings.

We are kicking the season off by stocking the lake with 2,000 pounds of trout. We’ll continue to stock 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of trout biweekly for a season total of 20,000 pounds. This year’s stock will be coming from Wright’s Rainbows in Idaho. Follow our link to see our complete stocking schedule.

Trout are hearty, delicious freshwater fish that many anglers enjoy – and there are many great ways to catch them at Lake Jennings.  You can fish from shore, get out into deeper water on our fishing dock, or rent kayaks or a 16-foot skiff with an outboard motor and explore the lake. Our rental boats are on a first-come, first-served basis. You can launch your own boat, too.

Lake Jennings is more than just a great fishing spot. The lake is also where Helix stores imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California, and local water from Lake Cuyamaca and El Capitan Reservoir. The water is on its way to our water treatment plant and east county homes. 

We also stocked our bait shop for trout season and do a fishing report, so you know where the fish are biting and what they’re biting.

This Week’s Fishing Report:

The report this week is that people are still catching catfish from the shoreline in Hermit and Siesta coves and near the old boat launch. Nightcrawlers and mackerel were doing the trick. Fishers off the t-dock were catching bass and panfish. Mealworms and nightcrawlers worked for the bluegill. 

The recommendation for the trout arriving this weekend is mini jigs. This all-purpose lure catches trout, bass, crappie and bluegill. For Lake Jennings, a typical setup for trout is 4 pound test with a 1/16 ounce jig. If you have trouble casting such a light jig, attach a bobber 5-6 feet above the jig. Popular jig colors for trout season are pink, orange and chartreuse.

You should also consider spending the weekend at the lake. To reserve a campsite (tent or RV) go to lakejennings.org or call 619-390-1623.

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Do you love the great outdoors? Do you have a digital SLR or cellphone camera?  If so, come out and compete in this year’s Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest.

The contest is open to photos taken at Lake Jennings between March 1 and May 31, 2021. Contest participants can get a free day pass to explore and photograph the scenic reservoir located in Lakeside.

This year’s contest theme is Life at the Lake. Photos can capture any aspect of the lake including camping, fishing, lake vistas, wildlife and wildflowers.

The district will award prizes in two divisions, adult and youth. First place winners in each division will receive $150, second place winners will receive $100 and third place winners will receive $50. Awards will be presented at a public board meeting in June.

Judging will be performed by a panel of Helix Water District staff and will be based on this year’s theme, visual appeal, technical quality and creativity.

This year, current health orders limit visitor and photographer access to the larger, recreational side of the reservoir.  At this time only registered campers may access the lake’s campground. Check the Lake Jennings website for up to date information and safety guidelines at lakejennings.org.

Entries must be submitted digitally to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 31. There is a limit of three photo submissions per photographer, and photos may not contain watermarks. The complete set of rules and entry and model release forms are available below and on Lake Jennings’s website.

2021 Lake Jennings Photo Contest Rules

2021 Lake Jennings Photo Contest Entry Form

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Thank you, East County. And congratulations to everyone who makes Lake Jennings such an award-winning destination.

Lake Jennings was voted a “Best Place to Go” in the East County Californian’s 2020 Best of East County Readers Poll. The weekly newspaper announced results yesterday after three months of balloting to identify East County’s favorite people, places and things.

The lake was voted the winner in nine categories:

Gold Star Winner

• Best Park
• Best Place to Walk/Jog
• Best Place to Walk Your Dog
• Best Place for a First Date
• Best Teen Hangout
• Prettiest Part of East County
• Best Thing About Living in East County

 Silver Star Winner

• Best Camping
• Best Fishing

 “I am really pleased to see that Lake Jennings has become the place to go for working out and hanging out,” said Helix Board President Joel Scalzitti. “The board, the district and the staff at Lake Jennings are committed to providing a top notch destination.”

“We certainly expect to receive high ratings every year,” said Helix’s Division 1 Director Dan McMillan, who chaired the board’s park, land, lakes and garden committee in 2020. “The East County  Californian’s Readers Poll tells me we’re focusing on the right things and making a difference, even during a pandemic.”

Lake Jennings is open for fishing, boating, picnics and fitness every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Winter is trout season,” said Haley. “We’re stocking the lake with 3,000 pounds of rainbow trout each month. You can fish from shore, rent a boat or kayak, or launch your own boat.”

If you want to go camping, you’ll have to wait. To comply with the stay at home order in California, the lake is not accepting new camping reservations for arrival dates before March 1st.

Visit www.lakejennings.org to sign up for the weekly newsletter on happenings at the lake, and follow the lake on facebook.com.

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Make Your Reservation

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Lake Jennings will reopen its campground in a limited capacity Friday, June 5. The recreational side of the lake that includes fishing and hiking will reopen Saturday, June 13.

The policies and procedures listed below assure compliance with current health orders from the county of San Diego and will remain in place until further notice.

Camping 

• Tent camping will now be permitted on site.
• RV camping continues to be permitted.

Campers

• Only people from the same household may occupy the same campsite.
• Six people maximum per campsite.
• Only registered campers permitted in the campground – no visitor or day use access will be allowed.
• All campers must wear a mask and practice social distancing where required, in compliance with the current San Diego County health orders.

Campground Amenities.

• All restrooms on site will be cleaned and sanitized with an EPA approved COVID-19 disinfectant on a regular basis. Some restrooms will be closed during the week when there are fewer campers, but there will be restrooms available 24 hours a day. All campers with self-contained camping units are encouraged to use their own restrooms at all times.
• The campground’s playground, pavilion, play area and drinking fountains will all be closed.

Trails

• The lake loop trail will be open to registered campers only from Sentry Point to Eagle Point.
• There will be no access to the campground side of the property or past Eagle Point for non–registered campers at this time.

Fishing (opens June 13)

• The recreation side of the lake will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning June 13.
• All fishermen and day use customers must be in compliance with current San Diego County health orders, including mask wearing and social distancing when applicable.
• Masks will be REQUIRED in line and in the Bait and Tackle Shop.
• Payment with card will be encouraged.
• Only one customer or family will be permitted in the Bait and Tackle Shop at a time. Please respect social distancing while in line outside.
• Fishing and day use permits must be purchased at the Bait and Tackle Shop.
• Fishing from the campground shoreline between Sentry Point and Eagle Point will be open only to registered campers who have purchased their fishing permits between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Shore fishing will be permitted from the entrance area to Eagle Point.
• There will be no night fishing or fish stocking at this time.

Boat Rentals

• Boat rentals to members of the same household reopen June 20.
• Private boat launching will be available. Launch permits must be purchased at the Bait and Tackle Shop. All boaters must be in compliance with the current San Diego County health order regarding recreational boating.

We are thrilled to be able to reopen in compliance with the county regulations. We really appreciate your understanding during this challenging time while we work hard to keep our community safe.

Call Lake Jennings staff at 619-390-1623

Click here to make a camping reservation

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