Fishing & Diving

Fishing is a listed activity at South Carlsbad State Beach, from the beach below the bluff. A California fishing license is required for anyone who must have one under state law, and state fishing rules apply. At neighboring Batiquitos Lagoon, fishing is allowed only in marked spots under the Interstate 5 and Carlsbad Boulevard bridges.

Surf Fishing

California State Parks lists fishing among South Carlsbad's activities, alongside swimming, surfing and skin diving. Give swimmers and surfers room. Keep your gear with you: State Parks says fishing poles are among the things most often stolen from unattended campsites.

Licenses and Rules

State Parks notes that a fishing license is required for any fishing at the lagoon's marine protected area, and that all existing state take rules still apply. Licenses are not sold at Batiquitos Lagoon; the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) says to buy one before you arrive. Check CDFW's current ocean fishing regulations for seasons, sizes and limits.

Batiquitos Lagoon

State Parks lists the lagoon's protected area as the marine protected area in the waters next to South Carlsbad State Beach. Two sets of rules overlap there:

• Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (no-take): covers the waters below the mean high tide line east of the Interstate 5 bridge. Taking any living marine resource is banned, and boating, swimming, wading and diving are prohibited.
• Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve (CDFW): fishing only in designated areas under the I-5 bridge on its north side and under the Carlsbad Boulevard bridge on its north and south sides. No fishing east of I-5.

State Parks says the lagoon held only five fish species before it was opened to the ocean and tides at the end of 1996; since the restoration, more than 65 species have been found. See Batiquitos Lagoon.

Skin Diving and Scuba

State Parks lists skin diving and scuba diving here, and the brochure names scuba diving as a beach activity. Diving is banned inside the lagoon's protected area. Lifeguard towers are often staffed in summer and not in winter, so dive with a buddy and check conditions first.