Lake Miramar (Miramar Reservoir) ~ Scripps Ranch

Lake Miramar (AKA Miramar Reservoir) is located in the center of Scripps Ranch, approximately 18 miles north of downtown San Diego. It is open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, for walking, biking, jogging, rollerblading, picnicking and fishing. There are 18 barbecues and 48 picnic tables located at various locations around the lake. Click here for a satellite view of Lake Miramar.

This is a great place to have a family picnic, get some exercise or take a quiet stroll around the 5-mile perimeter of the lake. If you decide to walk or jog the entire 5 miles, keep in mind that there is very little shade during the day and it gets quite hot in the middle of the afternoon during the summer months. Getting here an hour and a half or so before sunset provides much cooler temperatures and typically a nice breeze.

For the avid fisher, there are many species of fish that call Lake Miramar home. Some of these include Florida-strain Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Sunfish and Trout (which are stocked December-March). The minimum size limit for bass is 12 inches and the fish limits are 5 Trout, 5 Bass, 5 Catfish and 25 Crappie. There are no size limits for the other species.

On the weekends, rowboats, canoes and boats with 5HP outboard motors are available for rent. Aside from fishing from boats, float tubes and fishing from the shore are also allowed. If a float tube is used, you are restricted within 150 feet or less from the shore. Chest waders must be worn and you are required to have a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device readily available at all times. The flotation device must have 144 square inches of international orange visible at least 12 inches above the water line. You must also posses a horn or whistle in order to warn any approaching craft. You are required to purchase a $5.00 permit if your float tube uses oars or has a motor.

From the west side of the lake, you can see all the way to the coast and watch beautiful sunsets (during the warmer months, you can watch hot air balloons as they launch from the area of Carmel Valley). During clear days, you can see downtown and the Coronado Islands off the coast of Mexico. The views from here are a site you cannot miss!

Directions: From Route 15, exit at Mira Mesa Blvd. and head east. Turn right onto Scripps Ranch Blvd. and at the second traffic light, make a left onto Scripps Lake Drive. The entrance to the Lake will be approximately .5 miles on your left.

Helpful links:

The Latest Updates from the City of San Diego Water Department

San Diego Water Levels

City of San Diego Fish Catch Report

Copyright © 2008 by Kevin W. Wunderly, All Rights Reserved, Lake Miramar (Miramar Reservoir) ~ Scripps Ranch