Upper Otay Reservoir, Artificial lake in San Diego County, California, USA

Upper Otay Reservoir is a 20-acre artificial lake in San Diego County, California, its blue-grey water held behind a dam and bordered by dry, brushy hills and brown-green scrubland. It was created in 1959 as a fish hatchery.

Upper Otay Reservoir was created in 1959 as a hatchery for the propagation and introduction of Florida largemouth bass. It opened to the public in 1996. Waterfowl hunting, once popular there, was closed in 2002. In 2014 the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department and the non-profit Rivers Partners began a $1.2 million restoration of about 100 acres, including five small streams in the watershed.

Fishing is allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from half an hour before sunrise until sunset. Anglers need a California fishing licence and may use only artificial lures with barbless hooks, since the reservoir is catch-and-release only. The reservoir reopened to the public in 1996.

The water holds a rare northern-strain largemouth bass population, while most other waters in the area stock the Florida-strain variety. This distinction makes it a vital location for preserving this particular fish lineage.