Lake Wohlford

**Check out our article on Hidden Gems in Escondido!**

About Lake Wohlford

Lake Wohlford is a moderately sized reservoir located on the outskirts of Escondido. Be mindful of coming out here in late summer as it definitely gets HOT! Being a reservoir, swimming is not allowed, although boating and fishing are wonderful past-times you can do here.

Rainbow trout is heavily stocked in the winter months and this lake has a history of producing huge largemouth bass. In fact, they are one of the only lakes in the world that has produced a bass over 19lbs.! You can also find catfish, crappie and bluegill here.

Personal Experience

I had never explored Lake Wohlford before so I didn’t realize that there is not actually a trail around the lake. We just went for it though. It was funny because we would be roughing it through high shrub and trees and then out of nowhere trails would appear. Yippee!!

While you’re in the area, make sure to visit Bates Nut Farm nearby!

By sunset we still had quite a ways to go. One of the rangers saw us and offered to take us back to the front by the dock. Why thank you! What a great way to end our evening! He was shocked when we said we walked around the lake. He said he hadn’t heard of anyone doing that for almost a decade! 😛

The lake is very beautiful though and looks like a lot of fun for fishing & boating if you’re into that as that is the lake’s actual purpose with the public.

Historic photo, 1923

Hours

Lake Wohlford is open 7 days a week from mid-December through the weekend after Labor Day in September. Lake Wohlford is open Saturdays and Sundays only from the weekend after Labor Day until mid-December. Fishing hours are 6:00 a.m. to dusk. Contact Park Ranger at 760-839-4346 for further information.

Invasive Species Warning

In order to protect Lake Wohlford from invasive exotic Quagga mussels, there is still a temporary ban on private water craft and equipment that could have been exposed to mussels. Restricted equipment includes private boats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders, anchors and other equipment that contacts the water.

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We were then rescued at sunset. Haha, what a way to end the evening (and year since it was December 31st)!

I recently visited Lake Wohlford again for a second time in 2022.  Here are some shots of us while boating.  So much fun!