The Sweetwater Reservoir now offers “Free Fishing Sundays” through the Sweetwater Authority’s Reservoir Recreation Program. Free access weekly on Sundays will continue through the end of 2023.
The Sweetwater Reservoir now offers “Free Fishing Sundays” through the Sweetwater Authority’s Reservoir Recreation Program. Free access weekly on Sundays will continue through the end of 2023.
Located at the eastern edge of Bonita, Sweetwater Reservoir’s Recreation Program is easily accessible to the water agency’s customers. The program offers outdoor activities including 2.5 miles of shoreline fishing, and a riding and hiking trail operated by the County of San Diego.
Beginning March 1, program hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance is at 3203 Summit Meadow Road in Bonita. A valid California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing License is required. Regular fishing fees are still in effect on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays.
The new program extends this opportunity due to the recent closure of Loveland Reservoir to recreational use.
“We recognize that the recent closure of Loveland Reservoir has impacted recreation access,” said Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We hope that by offering free access to the program on Sundays, customers and local residents will come out and enjoy these outdoor recreational activities located right here in our own community.”
A California Fishing License is required, and the Authority has established rules to ensure the protection of the water supply and sensitive habitats surrounding its reservoirs. For more information on current hours, fees, and safety, visit www.sweetwater.org/fishing.
A happy angler shows off his catch at the Sweetwater Reservoir. Photo: Fishbrain.com
San Diego County’s freshwater fishing in area reservoirs and lakes managed by the region’s water agencies attracts experts and beginners alike. Eighteen of the County’s 24 reservoirs allow fishing, including the 960-acre Sweetwater Reservoir.
According to FishedThat.com, Sweetwater Reservoir is rated among San Diego County’s top three freshwater fishing locations. Fish available in the reservoir include carp, largemouth bass, bluegill, red-eared sunfish, channel catfish, and crappie.
Fifth-grade students in the Sweetwater service area were also provided free fishing passes for the year through their schools.
Primarily a local water supply for the Sweetwater Authority’s 200,000 customers in National City, Chula Vista, and Bonita, the agency has created recreational opportunities at the reservoir including fishing programs and a riding and hiking trail, operated by the County of San Diego.
(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)
San Diego’s recent rainstorms was a much-needed boost to 24 reservoirs around the county.
“We talk about often as pennies from the sky and yesterday was millions from the sky,” smiled Carlos Quintero, the General Manager for the Sweetwater Authority.
Quintero said the Sweetwater Reservoir in Spring Valley collected about 1,700 acre-feet of water on Monday alone.
Sweetwater Authority has begun transferring water between its two reservoirs in response to drought conditions, the agency announced. The move has paused access to fishing at Loveland Reservoir and local anglers fear that continued draining will result in a permanent end to one of the few, free options to fish in the region.
Sweetwater Authority is again removing water from its Loveland Reservoir to meet customer needs during drought conditions, but the move will halt the lake’s free fishing program.
The agency, which serves roughly 200,000 South County customers, began moving water downstream to its Sweetwater Reservoir this week. Officials said its water supply took a hit because of the region’s lack of rainfall and that transferring the water is a cheaper option than importing.
Chula Vista, Calif. – In order to secure additional water sources for our customers, Sweetwater Authority initiated a controlled transfer of water between its two reservoirs on November 15, 2022. Water that leaves Loveland Reservoir is transferred through the Sweetwater River channel and captured at Sweetwater Reservoir where it can be treated and distributed to Authority customers at a lower cost than importing water. Drought conditions and lack of rainfall in the region have created a need to transfer this water to Sweetwater Reservoir.
The Sweetwater Authority has added another day for the public to enjoy activities at the Sweetwater Reservoir in Spring Valley. Previously open Saturdays through Mondays, the Authority expanded operations to include Fridays to give residents more opportunities to get outside and experience nature this summer.
Starting Friday, July 2, Sweetwater Reservoir will be open so that San Diego County residents can enjoy fishing, hiking, biking and bird watching.
The Sweetwater Authority has added another day for the public to enjoy activities at the Sweetwater Reservoir in Spring Valley. Previously open Saturdays through Mondays, the Authority expanded operations to include Fridays to give residents more opportunities to get outside and experience nature this summer.
Starting Friday, July 2, Sweetwater Reservoir will be open so that San Diego County residents can enjoy fishing, hiking, biking and bird watching. The reservoir hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The addtional day also means another day for the Sweetwater Authority Shoreline Fishing Program.
“Our Fishing Program provides cost-effective, fun and educational recreational opportunities for San Diego County residents of all ages,” said Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Hector Martinez. “We’re pleased to expand this program to include Fridays and welcome residents to enjoy the beauty of our water and the environment this Independence Day weekend.”
In addition to the Sweetwater Reservoir, shoreline fishing is also available at the Authority’s Loveland Reservoir near Alpine.
Both lakes host a healthy population of bass, catfish, bullhead, bluegill, perch, rock bass and more. Catch and release is encouraged to avoid overfishing, and anglers must comply with California Fish and Game regulations.
The Sweetwater Reservoir provides shoreline fishing along a 2.5-mile stretch on the south side of the reservoir. Access is via San Miguel Road in Bonita near Sweetwater Summit Park.
Hours of Operation:
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays
7 am to 5 pm, March – September
7 am to 4 pm, October – February
Daily Fees:
$5 per adult
$2 per child under 16 (must be with an adult)
$3 per car for non-fishing visitors
Shoreline fishing is available at Loveland Reservoir near Alpine. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
The Loveland Reservoir provides fishing along a five-mile portion of the shoreline. Access is via the Interstate 8 East to Tavern Road/Alpine off-ramp.
Hours of Operation:
Open Daily
6 am to 6 pm, March – September
6 am to 5 pm, October – February
Daily Fees:
There are no fees to access Loveland Reservoir.
A California State Fishing License is required at both reservoirs for those 16 and older, and adult supervision is required for children under the age of 16.
(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)
David Thomas knows the cove that once was. He spent much of his childhood at Loveland Reservoir near Alpine, sneaking onto the eastern shore to cast a line where the lake had been deemed off limits for fishing.
One year into the coronavirus pandemic, San Diego County’s reservoirs and lakes have provided welcome opportunities for safe, accessible outdoor family recreation.
After shutting down in March 2020, facilities began to slowly reopen through the summer months by carefully implementing safety guidelines, including increased sanitation, social distancing, and restricted attendance to allow San Diegans to resume their favorite hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and bird watching activities.
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019