Murray Lake Fishing Guide

Lake Murray is a reservoir in San Diego, California and a great place to fish. Lake Murray is located within Mission Trails Regional Park and lies between the city of San Diego and the neighboring communities of La Mesa and Santee. When Lake Murray is at capacity, the reservoir covers 171.1 acres, has a maximum water depth of 95 feet, and a shoreline of 3.2 miles.

Lake Murray is open for shore fishing and private boats (when water level allows) sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. However, Lake Murray is closed the second Tuesday of each month and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Lake Murray Fishing Information

  • The Lake Murray reservoir is stocked (stocked November-May) with Florida-strain largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie and rainbow trout.
  • Minimum size limit for bass is 12 inches. Fish limits are five trout, five bass, five catfish and 25 crappie and bluegill in aggregate, with no limit on other species.
  • Anglers 16 years of age or older must have a California state fishing license.

Lake Murray General Information

  • Small boat and kayak are available for rent on a first come basis, no reservations and can be rented at the concession stand.
  • California state fishing licenses can be purchased at the concession stand.
  • Bait is available - shiners, crawdads, nightcrawlers, meal worms and wax worms.

Directions to Lake Murray

Lake Murray Address:

5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942

Lake Murray Directions:

Can be accessed from the parking lot at the Kiowa Drive entrance, from the path off of Baltimore Drive, or from Murray Park Drive by the Lake Murray softball fields and tennis courts.

From Interstate 8 (Kumeyaay Highway) - Take 8 to the Lake Murray Blvd. exit. Turn north onto Lake Murray Blvd. and proceed for 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Kiowa Drive. The entrance is 0.2 miles down Kiowa Drive.