SLO County Fishing Report — August 5, 2026
Wednesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121104 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
GoodLight wind, seas 3-4 ft; calm through Thursday
Lake Nacimiento
Good757.1 ft46% capacity
Bass: Good; Catfish: Excellent in 20-30 ft depth
Lopez Lake
GoodBass: Good; Catfish: Excellent in evening using chicken liver or cut bait
Santa Margarita Lake
GoodBass: Excellent, topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday; Trout: Stocked fish active near inlet areas
Tides for the day
| 3:31 AM high | 3.1 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM low | 2.0 ft |
| 3:35 PM high | 5.3 ft |
| 11:18 PM low | 1.0 ft |
- range
- 4.3 ft
- sunrise
- 6:15 AM
- sunset
- 8:03 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Santa Margarita | Lopez | Nacimiento | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellent | good | goodwhite | fair |
| Catfish | not reported | excellent | excellent | good |
| Trout | noted | slow | not reported | noted |
By water
from the report- Conditions Clear water
- Bass excellent Topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday
- Trout Stocked fish active near inlet areas
- Poppers
- walk-the-dog lures early; swim jigs midday
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Todaylighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
NW 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 2–3 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
- Thursdaylighter
- seas
- 2–3 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
becoming 10-15 kt in the afternoon
- Thursday nightlighter
- seas
- 2–3 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
becoming 5-10 kt after midnight
Full report2 min read ›
After a couple of breezy days the ocean has calmed down, and the lakes are in good summer shape.
Lake Fishing Reports
Santa Margarita Lake
- Conditions: Clear water
- Bass: Excellent! Topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday
- Best Baits: Poppers, walk-the-dog lures early; swim jigs midday
- Trout: Stocked fish active near inlet areas
Lopez Lake
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Good - target deeper structure as fish escape midday heat
- Catfish: Excellent in evening using chicken liver or cut bait
- Trout: Slow - water warming, fish holding deeper
Lake Nacimiento
- Water Level: 757.09 ft, 176,030 AF (46% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 5.
- Bass: Good - focus on shaded coves and creek arms
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-30 ft depth
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
San Antonio Lake
- Bass: Fair - fish holding in deeper water during heat of day
- Catfish: Good action on shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Minimal - summer slowdown expected
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Morro Bay Landing (Aug 4): Endeavor, 3/4 day, 30 anglers: 260 rockfish, 20 red rockfish, 10 bocaccio, 10 copper rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 4): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 21 anglers: 159 rockcod, 45 bocaccio, 4 red rockcod, 2 copper rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 4.
Calm Conditions - Great for Offshore Trips
A weak low off the coast is keeping the wind light and the seas small today, so it is a good day to run out for rockfish and lingcod.
Current Conditions (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Wind | NNW 4-7 mph (2-3 m/s), gusts to 7 mph |
| Wave Height | 4-5 ft (1.3-1.5 m) |
| Wave Period | 9-10 seconds |
| Water Temp | 60.4°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) |
| Air Temp | 58°F (14.5°C) |
Marine Forecast
Today: NW 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds, seas 3-4 ft
Tonight: NW 5-10 kt, seas 2-3 ft
Thursday: NW 5-10 kt, becoming 10-15 kt in the afternoon, seas 2-3 ft
Thursday night: NW 10-15 kt, becoming 5-10 kt after midnight, seas 2-3 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 209 AM PDT Wed Aug 5 2026.
Friday and Saturday stay light in the forecast, with seas of 2-4 ft.
Fishing Notes
Today-Thursday: Excellent conditions for offshore trips Weekend: Still light in the forecast; check before heading out
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; NWS zone PZZ645; lake level from CDEC (NCM).