Lake O'Neill is located on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base near Oceanside, CA. In order to access this lake you need to be military, DoD or contractor with the DoD. Before fishing on the lake you must go to the Game Warden to pay a $10 fee for fishing at any of the lakes on the base, this fee is good for the duration of your current California fishing license.

In order to launch a yak you must go to the Lake O'Neill Recreation Area to inform them you are launching and you must launch from the boat launch or beach front next to the boat launch. This is a reservoir so they ask that you try not to touch the water with any body part as much as possible.

One thing to know before you go is that they drain the lake beginning early September every year for cleaning. It is a small lake but perfect for yaking and there are some good size largemouth bass and catfish caught from this lake. All bass are catch & release but all other species can be taken home.

The campground is located right on the water across the lake from the Recreation Area and has many sites for RV and tents. Many of the sites have hookups with some only offering electric, some with electric and water, some with full hookups offering electric, water, & sewage and there are several no hookup sites available as well. If you decide to camp here on a holiday weekend be sure to reserve a spot well in advance.