Easy access to San Vicente is via Highway 67, just outside the city limits of Lakeside. The lake has a large fleet of rental boats, concession stand and a huge ramp for private boaters. For San Vicente Lake information, call (619) 561-1851.

Another trophy blue catfish lake is Lower Otay, in the foothills east of Chula Vista just a few miles from Mexico. It too is managed by the City of San Diego. The lake can be seen from Otay Lakes Road and is accessible off the 805 Freeway by taking the Olympic Parkway exit.

The lake record for Lower Otay was set this past summer when an 88.95-pound blue cat was caught on a chunk of cut mackerel in the east end of the Harvey's arm. This catch, it was determined, came from a 1985 stocking. Other spots that have produced big catfish include the Otay arm, the entrance to the Harvey arm and the buoy line near the dam. The lake is holding a high water level this year and all boat ramps are usable. Bait, tackle, rental boats and plenty of parking space make this an extremely popular lake. Lower Otay Lake can be contacted at (619) 421-9026.

Lake Jennings, in San Diego County, should not be overlooked as a possible producer of record-class catfish. The lake record sits at 68 pounds and Jennings has the potential for kicking out even bigger blues. Hotspots are between the second and third buoys from the campground. A channel leads from the tower to the fishing floats that hold a lot of big catfish. The bait of choice is mackerel, but also try fresh sardines or anchovies you can purchase at San Diego Bay's bait docks.

In Hermit Cove and off Sentry Point, this lake has added spawning barrels for channel catfish. There is a map in the concession area and GPS coordinates for the spots where such habitat improvement projects are being installed.

Access Lake Jennings, just outside the city of Lakeside, by taking Interstate 8 east to Lake Jennings Park Road; follow the signs to the lake. Facilities include a county-run campground, bait shop, boat rental with 40 boats and boat ramp. They offer night fishing in the summer. Call (619) 443-2510.

Another Southland water that should be included in the list of potential record catches is the Santa Ana River Lakes off the 91 Freeway in Anaheim. These deep lakes hold the record for the largest channel catfish ever caught in California, a husky 52.10-pounder landed in 1993.

The Santa Ana River Lakes are drained annually, except for the eastern-most lake on this series of three small creek basins, but the lakes are stocked regularly with trophy class blue and channel catfish. Call (714) 632-7830.