Anglers flock to little Dixon Lake in search of monster fish

By: ERNIE COWAN - For the North County Times | Saturday, May 5, 2007 10:41 PM PDT ∞

The attached photos are all scenic shots of Dixon Lake with the exception of the one of Jed Dickerson taken in 2003 with a 21-1l largemouth bass. All are Ernie Cowan photos.

Escondido's Dixon Lake is a small lake with a big reputation. After all, it has its own press agent.

The 76-acre lake has made national headlines because of some monster bass that have been caught there, including one hooked and released last year that exceeded the world bass record set in 1932. That fish has generated stories nationally in sporting and fishing magazines, and is even featured on a T-shirt sold at the lake.

Lake ranger James Dayberry said the monster bass has acted like a top-notch press agent for the lake, dramatically increasing business this spring.

"Everybody wants to know about it, and we've had people from as far away as Japan come to see if they can catch it," Dayberry said.

The big bass with a freckle on its right gill is well known to bass fishermen at Dixon Lake because it was first caught by big bass hunter Mike Long in 2001 when it weighed 20 pounds, 12 ounces. In 2003, Carlsbad fisherman Jed Dickerson caught possibly the same fish again, and it weighed 21-11, just shy of the world record of 22-4.

Dickerson released the fish and Mac Weakley, a fishing companion of Dickerson, caught it again last year after it had grown to 25-1, which would have shattered the old world record. Weakley, however, foul-hooked the fish, snagging it in the side and possibly disqualifying it as a world-record catch. He has not submitted the fish to the International Game Fish Association for consideration as the world record.

"But knowing that fish is still out there has everyone locked in on it," Dayberry said.

Dixon Lake is more than just a bass fishing hole. Close to the city, but hidden in a pocket of chaparral and boulder-covered hills, it's "an oasis at the edge of the city," in Dayberry's words.

"I've had people come up here and tell me they've lived here 30 years and never knew the lake was here," Dayberry said.

Dixon is a complete recreation area, with large areas for outdoor group events, family picnic sites, several fishing docks, hiking trails, rental paddle boats, campgrounds and an adjacent wilderness preserve offering more than 40 miles of trails. There is a concession stand at the lake offering fishing tackle and snacks.

Anglers can rent fishing boats at the lake, but there are no facilities for the launching of private boats. Daily fishing permits are required and motorists entering the lake area must pay a $3 fee. Seniors over 60 are admitted free.

In addition to the spring bass hunt, Dixon is popular with trout fishermen who find good fishing in fall, winter and spring months when the lake is well stocked with rainbows. Trout derbies are traditionally held in April and November.

Another popular lake attraction is the night catfishing season that lets anglers spend warm summer nights trying to lure big cats out of deeper water.

Dayberry said night catfishing will begin this year on June 29, with a Friday and Saturday night schedule from 5 to 10:45 p.m. for boat fishermen. Shore anglers will have until 11:30 p.m.

"The night catfishing crowd is growing," Dayberry said.

Many night anglers make it a family event with an outdoor barbecue and easy chairs at the lake edge, with lines out and a secret "stink bait" recipe in hopes of landing a big whiskerfish.

The campground at Dixon Lake offers 45 sites, including 10 with full recreational vehicle hookups. The sites are on top of a mountain overlooking the city on one side and the lake on the other. Cool breezes sweep the hilltop on warmer nights, making it a great place for a camping escape.

Campsite reservations can be made Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., by calling (760) 741-3328.

For the more active visitor, Dixon Lake offers hiking trails that connect with the adjacent 3,000-acre Daley Ranch, a wilderness preserve also owned by the City of Escondido. There are more than 40 miles of trails on the ranch that hikers, mountain bikers or horsemen can use.

The ranch is open daily from dawn to dusk and is free to visitors. On weekends there are guided nature walks and wildlife interpretive tours.

Dayberry said there are opportunities on Daley Ranch for trail maintenance volunteers, naturalist hike leaders and wildlife tracking teams.

Just a few miles from downtown Escondido, Dixon Lake offers visitors just about every kind of outdoor activity, from hiking, fishing, mountain biking and picnicking to just basking in the shade of big trees on a warm summer day.

-- Ernie Cowan is the outdoor writer for the North County Times. If you have an outdoor story of interest, call (760) 518-8050, or e-mail to ernie@packtrain.com.

Lake Dixon

Size: 76 acres

Fish species: Trout, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill

Lake records: Bass, 16 pounds,13 ounces; trout, 12 pounds; crappie, 3 pounds, 3 ounces; channel catfish, 23 pounds, 8 ounces.

Did you know? There is a cabin rental available for people with impaired mobility at $30 per night.

Hours: 6 a.m. to dusk daily.

Camping: There are 45 campsites overlooking the city or the lake at $20-$25 per night.

Cost: Daily fishing permit $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 youth (8-15).

Boat rentals: With motor, $25 full day, $15 for row boat. Half-day rates available. Paddle boats $10 per hour.

Directions: East four miles on El Norte Parkway from I-15 to La Honda Drive. North to the lake.

Phone numbers: Lake information (760) 839-4680

Web site: www.ci.escondido.ca.us/glance/lakes/dixon/