The calmer winds and nicer weather of spring make fishing a no-brainer.

Whether you're fishing for trout or catfish, with seven lakes to choose from (Lakes 1-5 are for the general public and Lakes 6 and 7 are for campers only), Spring is here and fishing season at Santee Lakes is on!

Fishing Tournaments

Starting with the annual Catfish Opener, a tournament to see who can reel in the largest fish, the Lakes are packed with avid anglers (709 this year). With prizes ranging from free fishing for a year to fishing gear to whole BBQ grills, the tournament has all anglers of  all ages competing to deplete the aggressively stocked lakes.

Cheap Fun Fishing

A day's fishing at Santee costs only $9. Cheap, right? But many anglers are thrilled to learn that you don't need a state fishing license to fish here. Santee Lakes also has a fishing store on site, in case you forget any gear.

Trout Fishing Tips

With the increase in temperatures, the fish are starting to spawn. Warm weather also means they tend to frequent the shallows more. All this is a good recipe for prime fishing. Between the depths of Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie and the main Santee Lakes, crappie, bass, trout are beginning to fill the waters.

There are many tips and tricks for getting great catch, but to catch the best fish here, stick to these two golden rules:

1. Start by examining a map of the area. They'll can show you the deepest parts of the lakes and where you should be aiming to fish. Alternatively, you can hire a human guide for the day. They'll go fishing with you and show you prime fishing spots.

2. Depending on the fish you want, you should be mindful of the time of day that you go on the water. Fishing for crappie or trout? Early in the morning, around first light, is your best chance to land a whopper.

Whether you are angling for sport or for fun, Santee Lakes provides a fishing experience unrivaled in the San Diego area.