SLO County Fishing Report — August 15, 2026

Excellent fishing conditions across the board! Lakes are in great shape with above-normal water levels, and ocean conditions are calm and fishable this weekend. A long-period southerly swell is lingering but not creating major issues.

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🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento (~75% Capacity) ⭐

• Storage: 285,131 acre-ft (109% of normal)
• Water Temp: ~72-78°F (warm, best early/late)
• Conditions: Excellent - above normal water levels
• Bass: ⭐ Excellent! Topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday
• Catfish: Excellent in 20-30 ft depth
• White Bass: Active near shad schools

💡 Tip: With water 109% of normal, the lake is in great shape. Focus on main lake points and creek arms at first light for best action.

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Lopez Lake (~90% Capacity)

• Storage: ~48,000+ acre-ft (well above normal)
• Water Temp: ~70-74°F
• Conditions: Good clarity, excellent water levels
• 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

💡 Tip: All launch ramps accessible at current levels. Best fishing during low-light hours.

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Lake Nacimiento vs Last Week

Metric	This Week	Last Week	Trend
Storage	285,131 ac-ft	~260,000 ac-ft	⬆️ +25,000 ac-ft
% Normal	109%	~95%	⬆️ Improving

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San Antonio Lake (~77% Capacity)

• Storage: 270,863 acre-ft (148% of normal!)
• Water Temp: ~70-74°F
• Bass: Good - focus on deeper structure during midday
• Catfish: Excellent on shrimp and chicken liver
• Trout: Minimal - summer slowdown

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Santa Margarita Lake (~95% Capacity)

• Conditions: Near full pool, clear water
• Bass: ⭐ Excellent! Topwater action at dawn
• Trout: Active near inlet areas

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🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore

⭐ Great Conditions - Calm Seas Expected

A gentle to moderate northwesterly breeze persists with calm seas. A long period southerly swell (16-18 seconds) will linger through Sunday but won't create major issues. Winds increase mid-week but conditions remain fishable.

NOAA Marine Forecast (Monterey Bay Area)

Today (Saturday):

• Wind: NW 10-15 kt
• Seas: 4-5 ft (NW 4 ft @ 6 sec, S 3 ft @ 17 sec)
• Conditions: ⭐ Excellent

Tonight:

• Wind: NW 10-15 kt
• Seas: 4-5 ft

Sunday:

• Wind: NW 10-15 kt
• Seas: 4-5 ft
• Outlook: ⭐ Excellent

Monday-Tuesday:

• Wind: NW 15-20 kt (freshening)
• Seas: 5-7 ft
• Note: Conditions still manageable

Wednesday:

• Wind: NW around 20 kt
• Seas: 7-9 ft
• Outlook: Rough - check conditions

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🌊 Tides - Morro Bay (NOAA Station 9412110)

Tide	Time (PDT)	Height
High	~12:30 AM	4.8 ft
Low	~6:15 AM	0.8 ft
High	~1:15 PM	5.2 ft
Low	~7:30 PM	0.5 ft

Tide Range: 4.7 ft - Moderate tidal movement

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🌙 Solunar Times (August 15, 2026)

Period	Time (PDT)
Minor	5:15 AM - 7:15 AM
Major	11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Minor	5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Major	11:45 PM - 1:45 AM

Best Fishing Windows:

• Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) ⭐
• Evening (5:30 - 7:30 PM)

Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous - Good activity expected

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📅 Week Ahead Outlook

Lakes

✅ Great conditions all week. Water levels above normal at Nacimiento and San Antonio. Early morning topwater bites best before heat.

Ocean

⭐ This weekend: Excellent conditions - calm seas, light winds ⚠️ Monday-Tuesday: Freshening winds, seas 5-7 ft - still fishable ⚠️ Wednesday: Rough conditions develop - check forecast

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📊 Quick Reference

Lake	Capacity	Temp	Rating
Nacimiento	75% (109% normal)	72-78°F	⭐ Excellent
Lopez	~90%	70-74°F	✅ Good
San Antonio	77% (148% normal)	70-74°F	✅ Good
Santa Margarita	~95%	72-76°F	⭐ Excellent

Ocean (Morro Bay): ⭐ Excellent weekend

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Report compiled August 15, 2026. Lake levels from Snoflo.org (USBR data). Ocean data from NOAA Marine Forecast FZUS56 KMTR and NDBC Buoy 46011. Tides from NOAA Station 9412110.