Lake Casitas is the perfect outdoor playground for many different activities. The park offers excellent fishing, hiking, biking, and camping opportunities.  It is located near the town of Oak View but camping can feel as if you are camping in a private lakeside paradise even though you are surrounded by 400 campsites.  Some campsites feel as if you are in a secluded lakeside cove. 

On my last visit to Lake Casitas  I stayed in Mallard 32 which provided a fantastic lake view and was near a Aircraft Runway used for Radio Controlled Aircraft.  The Mallard or Osprey campgrounds are the furthest from the park entrance and have the most remote feel.  If you are looking for a campsite closer to the boat ramp or park entrance I would choose Angler, Bass, or Creekside.   During hotter months and especially in the summer you should try your best to find a shady spot.  Not all campsites provide enough shade. 

The park also has a small waterpark and hosts several events throughout the year.   The event that I enjoy the most is the Ojai Wine Festival.  It usually happens in June.  For more information visit www.casitaswater.org/department.php?url=lake-casitas-recreation-area.
 
 
 I went fishing with a friend and we brought all the fancy fishing eqipment thinking that this would give us a huge advantage.  We did not catch one single fish.  We had a brand new fishing pole, lures, powerbait, and a new shiny tackle box.  Next to us on the shore of the river was a old man fishing using only a soda can, fishing line,  a hook, and a small piece of cheese for bait.   He caught four fish to our zero.  I always wonder if he knew something that we didn't.  Some people will spend a lot of money on clothes, lures, powerbait, tackle and arrive at the lake or the river and wonder why they are not catching any fish.  The answer is in their point of view.  Maybe the old man next to us knew how to "Think like a fish".   How do you do that?

      First approach the lake with caution, walk softly, keep your shadow off the water, and avoid kicking any rocks.  Fish can sense tiny movements on the shore and see large shadows on the water.  Make sure to cast in  a natural manner and keep your casting motion low.   The best time to fish is in the early morning or at dusk when the light is best.   During the middle of the day the harsh sunlight will penetrate the water which will scare the fish.  Try these tips and maybe you can catch some fish with just a can, some line, and a hook.