Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve

Location

South Coast Region (Region 5)

San Diego County

Directions: Hwy 5 in Carlsbad to Poinsettia Lane east. South on Batiquitos Drive. Right on Gabbiano Drive to reserve.

CDFW Lands Viewer

Description

The Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve is a 544 acre property. Habitat types include open water/subtidal, intertidal mudflats, southern coastal salt marsh, coastal brackish marsh, nesting areas, transitional zones, and southern arroyo willow riparian forest. Dominant flora includes eelgrass, pickleweed, alkali health, and white sage. Dominant fauna includes striped mullet, great egret, horn snail, raccoon, woodrat, skunk, and ground squirrel.

Past land use in the area includes ranching, and more recently, recreation. Batiquitos Lagoon was acquired to preserve, protect and maintain the improved coastal wetland habitat and associated species. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1983.

For more information, call the South Coast Region San Diego office at (858) 467-4201.

Recreational Opportunities

Fishing is only allowed west of I-5. See below link for Marine Protected Area regulations and map

This ecological reserve is adjacent to or shares marine habitat with a Marine Protected Area (MPA). For the public use regulations for MPAs, see Section 632, Title 14, CCR.

Activities: wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing only west of I-5

NOTE: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of Department lands.

Refer to the Public Uses on State and Federal Lands section of the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

You may not operate a drone on CDFW Lands without a Special Use Permit.