A small pencil popper in white, silver, or white with a red head is excellent for catching Barrett bass when they bust shad on the surface. Anywhere on the Hauser Arm where you find a combination of trees and boulders, you may well find bass feeding on shad. While fishing for Barrett bass, don't be surprised to find yourself battling a huge bluegill or a monster crappie. There are some very large panfish in this lake, and they also feed aggressively on shad.

As noted, the rental boats including float tubes or pontoon craft are excellent for providing transportation for four anglers out to various parts of the lake. Once on site, two or more of you can slip into a tube and glide away for some quiet sport.

Make sure you have a floatation vest, and you do need some hunter orange, such as an orange ball cap, to make you visible to boaters, though the low speed limit and lack of private boats and jet skis reduces the risk of a collision.

Barrett Lake, 42 miles east of San Diego, is under the jurisdiction of the City of San Diego Reservoirs and Recreation Program. It's normally open for fishing on a limited basis (25 parties of four or fewer persons per day) from April through October on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the first two months, then usually only Saturday and Sunday for the remainder of the season.

The lake holds a good population of large bass as well as an abundance of bluegill and crappie. Barrett is a catch-and-release lake, with a zero-take policy for all species. Regulations require the use of barbless hooks and artificial lures only.

No camping or concessions are available. No swimming or water contact is allowed. A reservation through TicketMaster is needed to fish. Each reservation costs $50 and covers all four anglers. Contact TicketMaster at (619) 220-TIXS or ticketmaster.com.

For more information, call the city at (619) 465-3474 or visit online at Sandiego.gov/water/index

Entry to lake area is controlled. You must be escorted from the highway to the launch ramp by one of the city employees who make their run in the morning at 5, 7, 8 and 9 a.m. They escort anglers out again at noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. and at sunset.

Fishing is allowed from boat, shore or float tube. No private boats are allowed. There is no launch ramp.

Your reservation gives your party the use of a rental rowboat and motor. You may supply your own motor, up to 20 horsepower. A boat is necessary, even if you plan on tubing or walking the shoreline.