The following information is a partial extract from the VSFB Hunting & Fishing Regulation. Please read it for additional fishing information.
13.4.1.1. VAFB Coastal (Ocean) Fishing: Ocean fishing is allowed twenty-four hours a day, except in the Vandenberg State Marine Reserve (VSMR). (See Para. 13.4.2.1 below.) Seasonal access restrictions identified in paragraph 8.2.2 and other restrictions, e.g., Boathouse, Para. 17.9, of this Instruction apply.
Vandenberg State Marine Reserve (VSMR)
13.4.2.1. Vandenberg State Marine Reserve: Refer to Attachment 3. The coastline and adjacent waters from Purisima Point south to approximately ¾ mile west of VAFB boat dock are protected as State of California designated “Vandenberg State Marine Reserve.” Taking any marine wildlife including fishing is prohibited, except for active duty personnel and their dependents who are allowed to fish within the VSMR as 30 SW/CC authorizes. However, fishing at Surf Beach is not included in this authorization.
8.2. Boundaries of Seasonally Restricted Areas:
8.2.2. California Least Tern/Western Snowy Plover Nesting Areas. The area west of the railroad tracks on North VAFB, from the southern boundary of hunting area A3, north to Casmalia Beach Rd. (includes portions of Areas B2 and C2), is off-limits to all recreational activity from 1 March through 30 September each year. The least tern nesting area immediately south of Purisima Point, as identified on base hunting and fishing maps, is also included in this closure. Surf Beach west of the railroad tracks, from the Santa Ynez River mouth south 3.7 miles to the first rock outcrop; and Wall Beach from the river mouth 1.1 miles north, are also closed to all recreational activity 1 March through 30 September to protect nesting snowy plovers, except for limited open areas accessed from Surf Station and the Wall Beach parking lot. Additional restrictions may be posted in other areas and must be observed.
17.9. Boathouse Access Procedures:
17.9.1. Procedures for accessing the Boathouse on south VAFB are maintained by the Outdoor Recreation Center, Bldg. 10250, as described in this Instruction. The access gate to the Boathouse and landing areas must be closed and secured after each entry to and exit from this area.
17.9.2. Beach access is allowed only from the Boathouse. The coastline and adjacent waters north of the cove to Purisima are off-limits except for authorized mission activities and scientific research.
The current freshwater fishing locations listed below are in poor condition and are not maintained.
13.4.1.2. VAFB Freshwater Fishing: Freshwater fishing is allowed twenty-four hours a day in the following areas:
13.4.1.2.1. Mod III Lake (adjacent to Umbra Rd.).
13.4.1.2.2. Lake Canyon Lakes (adjacent to Washington Ave.)
13.4.1.2.3. Punchbowl Lake (adjacent to Corral Rd.)
13.4.1.2.4. Rawlinson Pond (adjacent to the intersection of San Antonio Rd. and Lompoc-Casmalia Rd.)
13.4.1.2.5. El Rancho Pond (adjacent to the intersection of El Rancho Rd. and El Rancho Lateral.)
Hunting/Fishing area maps as of 20 June, 2015
(8.4 MB each)
Note from the webmaster:
The conditions of the freshwater fishing lakes and ponds have been deplorable. Besides that, only recent rains have improved water levels. There may limited number of fish and bank fishing has been extremely limited for several years due to excessive overgrowth. Boat docks are hardly accesible anymore. It was my opinion that during this drought period, it would have the best time to clear the banks so that these area would be available to all eligible fishermen and fisher-women in the future. Including those with disabilities in order to comply with the ADA and DOD regulations. This may be accomplished only if enough interested people write to the Base Commander.
