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