Carlsbad Lagoon? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Chops6531 · 05-20-2015, 08:10 PM

I've noticed ppl fishing from yaks multiple times when I drive on the 5. I don't know exactly what the place is called but it seems to be drawing me in and I'm gonna have to give it a try. The problem is I don't know how to get to a good launch spot or what fish to target when I get there. I plan on fishing that area on friday. If there is anyone out there who can give me a push in the right direction or come out and get some lines wet, please do. Thanks for the info!

tsugg · 05-21-2015, 08:33 AM

That is what that lagoon is know as because the YMCA owns the house you see over on the west shoreline below the rail road tracks. During the summer months they run lots of kids thru there for camp outs.

If you can carry your yak or it's light enought to traverse a small dirt trail you can access the lagoon from Harbor DR.
If you are dragging a PA or similar battle ship yak to the water then you'll want to drive a little farther east(east of I-5) to the back lagoon(Battaquitos lagoon) and launch at Bayshore drive which has a short flat walk to a sandy beach that is a great launch site.

when you launch at battaquitos lagoon you will need a passive use permit from the city of carlsbad so you can traverse through battaquitos lagoon to get to the YMCA lagoon, BTW fishing can be just as good in the back lagoon as the YMCA. The attraction of the YMCA lagoon is that no motorized watercraft are allowed so it's nice and calm there(no jet skis or water skiers).BUT BATTAQUITOS HAS THE WOMENS YOGA CLASSES ON SUP's every morning so that can be a good thing especially if fishing is slow.LOL

Permits are sold at the office of the city public swimming pool located on monroe st.(just north of Carlsbad high school) I think they cost around $32. for a year.

spotties, calicos, WSB, halibut are the usual.

Caseym · 05-21-2015, 09:32 AM

Just to clarify something here...
The YMCA lagoon is named Agua Hedonia
There is a completely seperate lagoon a few miles south on I-5, it is named Batiquitos Lagoon and it is an off-limits reserve...no fishing kayaking or SUP chicks.
There are multiple "put-ins" in the AH ("Goon"). The back area is located off Park Dr.
Again, just clarifying, I always used to mix these up.

tsugg · 05-21-2015, 10:47 AM

x2 !!! oops

Chops6531 · 05-21-2015, 01:40 PM

Thanks gents. I will take ur advice and try to get some lines wet.

mpc · 05-21-2015, 02:23 PM

FYI - I called the City of Carlsbad, Parks & Recreation to check on exactly where the permit is needed. I was thinking it was only needed for the inner lagoon and not required for the middle and outer lagoon areas. They weren't sure, so they called the Lagoon Foundation people at the Monroe Street office and were told that a permit is required for kayak use in any of the three parts of the lagoon. Fishing is allowed in all parts (w/ CA license of course).

Caseym · 05-21-2015, 04:03 PM

I think its only fair that they collect money for something they worked so hard to create....errrr wait a minute.
Maybe we should start the Ocean Foundation and charge people for entering the water. Whats the diff?? Here i go ranting again, Im done.

Chops6531 · 05-21-2015, 04:10 PM

Do you need a permit to fish there?

mpc · 05-21-2015, 07:55 PM

Nothing beyond the standard CA fishing license. I'll probably wait until I see a fishing report from someone before I spend the $42 for the permit. I went scuba diving in the outer lagoon area many years ago; didn't see much.

05-20-2015, 08:10 PM	#1
Chops6531 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 112	Carlsbad Lagoon? I've noticed ppl fishing from yaks multiple times when I drive on the 5. I don't know exactly what the place is called but it seems to be drawing me in and I'm gonna have to give it a try. The problem is I don't know how to get to a good launch spot or what fish to target when I get there. I plan on fishing that area on friday. If there is anyone out there who can give me a push in the right direction or come out and get some lines wet, please do. Thanks for the info! __________________ -Chops

05-21-2015, 08:33 AM	#2
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	YMCA Lagoon That is what that lagoon is know as because the YMCA owns the house you see over on the west shoreline below the rail road tracks. During the summer months they run lots of kids thru there for camp outs. If you can carry your yak or it's light enought to traverse a small dirt trail you can access the lagoon from Harbor DR. If you are dragging a PA or similar battle ship yak to the water then you'll want to drive a little farther east(east of I-5) to the back lagoon(Battaquitos lagoon) and launch at Bayshore drive which has a short flat walk to a sandy beach that is a great launch site. when you launch at battaquitos lagoon you will need a passive use permit from the city of carlsbad so you can traverse through battaquitos lagoon to get to the YMCA lagoon, BTW fishing can be just as good in the back lagoon as the YMCA. The attraction of the YMCA lagoon is that no motorized watercraft are allowed so it's nice and calm there(no jet skis or water skiers).BUT BATTAQUITOS HAS THE WOMENS YOGA CLASSES ON SUP's every morning so that can be a good thing especially if fishing is slow.LOL Permits are sold at the office of the city public swimming pool located on monroe st.(just north of Carlsbad high school) I think they cost around $32. for a year. spotties, calicos, WSB, halibut are the usual.

05-21-2015, 01:40 PM	#5
Chops6531 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 112	Thanks gents. I will take ur advice and try to get some lines wet. __________________ -Chops

05-21-2015, 04:10 PM	#8
Chops6531 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 112	Do you need a permit to fish there? __________________ -Chops

05-21-2015, 09:32 AM	#3
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	Just to clarify something here... The YMCA lagoon is named Agua Hedonia There is a completely seperate lagoon a few miles south on I-5, it is named Batiquitos Lagoon and it is an off-limits reserve...no fishing kayaking or SUP chicks. There are multiple "put-ins" in the AH ("Goon"). The back area is located off Park Dr. Again, just clarifying, I always used to mix these up.

05-21-2015, 10:47 AM	#4
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	x2 !!! oops

05-21-2015, 02:23 PM	#6
mpc Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 70	FYI - I called the City of Carlsbad, Parks & Recreation to check on exactly where the permit is needed. I was thinking it was only needed for the inner lagoon and not required for the middle and outer lagoon areas. They weren't sure, so they called the Lagoon Foundation people at the Monroe Street office and were told that a permit is required for kayak use in any of the three parts of the lagoon. Fishing is allowed in all parts (w/ CA license of course).

05-21-2015, 04:03 PM	#7
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	I think its only fair that they collect money for something they worked so hard to create....errrr wait a minute. Maybe we should start the Ocean Foundation and charge people for entering the water. Whats the diff?? Here i go ranting again, Im done.

05-21-2015, 07:55 PM	#9
mpc Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 70	Nothing beyond the standard CA fishing license. I'll probably wait until I see a fishing report from someone before I spend the $42 for the permit. I went scuba diving in the outer lagoon area many years ago; didn't see much.