SLO County Fishing Report — August 21, 2026
Fridaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Fair5 ftwater 61.3°F
Choppy Friday, NW 15-25 kt this afternoon under a small craft advisory, seas 4-6 ft
Lake Nacimiento
Good753.5 ft43% capacity
Bass: Excellent, topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday; 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; Trout: Active near inlet areas
Tides for the day
| 12:50 AM low | 0.8 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:42 AM high | 3.4 ft |
| 11:07 AM low | 3.3 ft |
| 5:46 PM high | 4.9 ft |
- range
- 4.1 ft
- sunrise
- 6:27 AM
- sunset
- 7:45 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Lopez | San Antonio | Santa Margarita | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellentwhite | good | good | excellent | not reported |
| Catfish | excellent | excellent | excellent | not reported | not reported |
| Trout | not reported | slow | noted | noted | not reported |
By water
from the report- Water Level 753.5 ft, 163,011 AF (43% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 20.
- Bass excellent Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish excellent In 20-30 ft
- White Bass Active near shad schools
None listed.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
easing to 10-20 kt after midnight
- Saturday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-20 kt in the morning
- Sunday
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
Full report2 min read ›
Nacimiento sits at 753.5 ft, 43% of capacity (CDEC, Aug 20). The ocean is choppy in a fresh NW wind but fishable.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Water Level: 753.5 ft, 163,011 AF (43% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 20.
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-30 ft
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
Tip: At this level the fish are on main-lake structure and creek channels. Get the topwater bite in before the heat.
Lopez Lake
- Storage: 512.1 ft, 40,275 AF (82% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Aug 20.
- Conditions: Clear water
- Bass: Good on deeper structure, where the fish go in the midday heat
- Catfish: Excellent in the evening on chicken liver or cut bait
- Trout: Slow. The water is warming and the fish are holding deeper
Tip: All launch ramps are usable at this level.
San Antonio Lake
- Storage: 742.2 ft, 168,460 AF (51% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Aug 20.
- Bass: Good on deeper structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent on shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Minimal, the usual summer slowdown
Tip: Watch for floating debris after the recent inflow.
Santa Margarita Lake
- Conditions: Slightly turbid
- Bass: Excellent on topwater at dawn
- Trout: Active near the inlets
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 20): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 12 anglers: 115 rockcod, 3 bocaccio (up to 6 pounds), 1 copper rockfish, 1 red rockcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 20.
The NW wind builds to 15-25 kt this afternoon under a small craft advisory and stays fresh into Saturday. Seas run 4-6 ft.
Marine forecast
Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning, seas 4-5 ft Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 4-6 ft Saturday: NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-20 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft Sunday: NW 10-20 kt, seas 4-5 ft
Small craft advisory in effect from noon today through late tonight.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 231 AM PDT Fri Aug 21 2026.
Buoy Data (NDBC Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria)
- Water Temp: 61.3°F (16.3°C)
- Wave Height: 5 ft (1.5m)
- Wave Period: 6-7 seconds (moderate)
- Wind: NNW 15.7 mph (7 m/s), gusts to 20.1 mph (9 m/s)
- Air Temp: 59°F (15°C)
- Pressure: 1015.6 hPa (falling slightly)
Sunday has the lightest wind in the forecast.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; lake levels from CDEC.