El Capitan Reservoir

El Capitan Reservoir has the largest capacity in the City of San Diego Lakes system. It's located approximately 30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, on the San Diego River. See the "What's New" page for current schedule.

All persons entering lake property will be charged daily use fees, see Permits & Fees (daily).

Directions: From Interstate 8, exit north on Lake Jennings Park Road, turn east on El Monte Road, about 7 miles to the entrance. From the entrance it's about 2.5 miles to the concession/launch area.

When full, the reservoir has 1,562 surface acres, a maximum water depth of 197 feet, and 22 miles of shoreline. Water levels are monitored weekly.

There are three barbecues and eight picnic tables in the picnic area near the concession. Patrons can bring self-contained barbecues for use in the picnic area only. No ground fires or glass containers are allowed. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and at least 50 feet away from the water. Dogs are not allowed on boats (private or rental).

El Capitan Reservoir has Florida-strain largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, green sunfish, and carp. Minimum size limit for bass is 15 inches and 10 inches for crappie . Fish limits are five bass, five catfish, 25 crappie, no limit on others. Fish catch information is updated weekly

In addition to fishing from boats, patrons can float tube or fish from shore, although there are only about four miles of shoreline that are reasonably accessible by foot.

Use of float tubes is restricted to within 150 feet or less from shore. Float tubers must wear chest waders and have a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device readily available at all times, and have 144 square inches of international orange visible at least 12 inches above the water line. They must also possess a horn or whistle to warn approaching craft. Any float tube that uses oars or has a motor must purchase a private boat use permit.

There is no longer a concession at El Capitan, so patrons must bring their state fishing license, bait, and all food and drink with them. Lake staff is selling all permits, plus there is an electronic pay station and an iron ranger pay station with envelopes where patrons can purchase permits.

The lake still has rowboats and boats and motors available to rent. To reserve all day motorboats, call 619-668-3274 Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 4:00. All other boats are available on a first come basis only. Rental boats are available on Saturday and Sunday only and there will be no rentals in June, July and August.

There is no camping allowed at El Capitan. The nearest camping is at Lake Jennings County Park approximately 10 miles from El Capitan. For reservations at Lake Jennings call (858) 565-3600.

El Capitan allows both waterskiing and wakeboarding and use of personal watercraft such as jetskis. Paddleboards are not permitted at any time. Please see the "What's New" page for current schedule. Use of personal watercraft is only permitted in the personal watercraft zone next to the dam except when towing someone. El Capitan allows 3-person personal watercraft (jetskis) to tow skiers or inflatables in the waterski zone. There is a limit of 120 vessels (boats and jetskis) on Sundays.