Lake Hodges

Lake Hodges is a City of San Diego reservoir on the Escondido side of San Pasqual Valley, reached from 20102 Lake Drive. It is a quiet bass and catfish lake popular with fishing boats, kayakers and paddleboarders, and unlike many City reservoirs it welcomes stand-up paddleboards and windsurfers.

How boating works here

The reservoir is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset, and the City lists it as open February through October. Rentals are available at the concession. Private craft pay a launch fee: $10 for boats and $7 for kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and windsurfers. The City's page says no boat launch is available at the time of writing, so check conditions and the current ramp status before bringing a trailer. The state boating directory lists a public ramp with 200 trailer parking spaces and two boarding floats.

Quagga inspection

All vessels must be inspected for quagga mussels by City reservoir staff at the inspection station before entering the reservoir, so allow time and bring clean, drained and dry gear.

Rules of the lake

Swimming and water contact are prohibited, dogs are not allowed on boats, and camping, ground fires and glass containers are banned. A floating restroom is listed at the lake.

The bike and hiking trails around Hodges bring many non-boaters, so expect a busy parking lot on weekends.