Marina guide
Lake Casitas Marina
Ventura, Ventura County, CA
Overview
Lake Casitas Marina is the bait, tackle and boat-rental concession at the main Santa Ana Ramp, about half a mile inside Lake Casitas Recreation Area at 11311 Santa Ana Road near Ojai. Casitas Municipal Water District owns the lake, and because it is a drinking water supply the rules are among the strictest in Southern California.
What the marina offers
The shop bills itself as a full-service stop for angling and boating supplies, with live bait, lures and tackle, and fishing licenses sold by the day or year (cash only). It sells 87- and 91-octane gasoline and rents slips by the night, week, month or year. Fishing boats, kayaks and canoes can be rented on site; reservations are held with a full-day deposit.
Rules that shape boating here
No swimming, wading or body contact is allowed in the lake. Every vessel, including kayaks and canoes, must pass a district quagga mussel inspection, be cabled and tagged, and then stay dry for a 35-day quarantine before it can launch. Boats must be 11 to 35 feet long and at least 4 feet wide, and boats over 26 feet need a staff inspection and special permit. Inflatable watercraft are not allowed. Boating is limited to day-use hours, which change with the season. Dogs may ride in boats but must stay 50 feet from the water elsewhere. Most visitors use rental boats or keep a dedicated boat in a slip because of the quarantine.
Getting there & access
By road
Enter Lake Casitas Recreation Area at 11311 Santa Ana Road. The marina's bait and tackle concession is at the main Santa Ana Ramp, about half a mile inside the park. Guest Services: (805) 649-1122.
Launch ramps
The lake has two launch ramps, Santa Ana and Coyote. Day-use launch is $20 for a boat and $10 for a kayak or canoe.
Inspection and quarantine
Schedule an inspection with the district. After passing, the vessel is cabled and tagged and must stay dry and out of all water for 35 days before launching. Initial inspection with cable and lock is $75 per vessel, and reinspection is $40.
Hours
Boating is limited to day-use hours, which vary by season. There's no night boating other than scheduled night tournaments. The district also posts park and launch ramp closures for 2026, so check before you go.
Amenities
- Bait & tackle shop — Live bait, lures, tackle and angling supplies
- Fuel — 87 and 91 octane gasoline
- Slip rentals — Nightly, weekly, monthly or yearly
- Boat rentals — Fishing boats, kayaks and canoes; call for rates and reservations
- Fishing licenses — Daily or annual, cash only
- Restrooms — Near the marina
Rules & official resources
- All vessels, including kayaks and canoes, must pass a quagga mussel inspection and a 35-day quarantine before launching
- Uninspected boats, kayaks, canoes and inflatables are prohibited
- No swimming, wading or body contact with the lake (drinking water supply)
- Boats must be 11–35 ft long and at least 4 ft wide; inflatable watercraft not allowed
- Boats 26–35 ft must be inspected by park staff and issued a special permit
- Dogs allowed in boats but not within 50 ft of the lake or streams
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Bottom cleaning for slip boats
Because of the 35-day quarantine, many owners keep a boat in a marina slip instead of trailering. Boats that stay in the water collect growth and need periodic hull cleaning.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Engine service
Quarantine and slip life mean a boat can't easily leave for a shop, so mobile engine service and pre-season tune-ups are valuable.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Covers and canvas
Ojai Valley sun and heat break down covers and Bimini tops on boats kept in slips or storage.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Inspection-ready cleaning
Boats must pass inspection before the quarantine starts. A full cleaning and drain-down beforehand helps avoid a failed inspection and $40 reinspection.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.