SLO County Fishing Report — September 6, 2026
Sundaygauge 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
Fair6–7 ftNW 15–20 kt
Seas 4-7 ft, NW 10-20 kt, tropical south swell
Lake Nacimiento
Good749.1 ft39% capacity
Bass: Excellent, topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday; Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 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
| 1:19 AM low | -0.3 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:25 AM high | 3.8 ft |
| 12:26 PM low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:35 PM high | 5.9 ft |
- range
- 6.1 ft
- minus tide
- -0.3 ft
- sunrise
- 6:39 AM
- sunset
- 7:23 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 749.1 ft, 148,012 AF (39% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 6.
- Bass excellent Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish excellent In 20-35 ft
- White Bass Active near shad schools
None listed.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–20 kt
easing to 10-15 kt after midnight
- Monday
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–20 kt
NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning
- Tuesdaylighter
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
Full report2 min read ›
The lakes are in good shape for the holiday weekend. The ocean is still lumpy: a NW wind on top of a long-period south swell from tropical activity.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Water Level: 749.1 ft, 148,012 AF (39% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 6.
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 ft
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
Tip: The early topwater bite is very strong, and night fishing is productive too.
Lopez Lake
- Storage: 511.4 ft, 39,737 AF (80% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 6.
- Bass: Good.
- Catfish: Excellent in the evening on chicken liver or cut bait
- Trout: Slow - water warming, fish holding deeper
Tip: All launch ramps are open at this level. The evening catfish bite is good.
San Antonio Lake
- Storage: 740.6 ft, 163,266 AF (49% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Sep 6.
- Bass: Good - focus on deeper structure during midday
- Catfish: Excellent on shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Minimal - summer slowdown
Tip: Night fishing is productive.
Santa Margarita Lake
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater at dawn
- Trout: Active near inlet areas
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 5): Patriot (Avila Beach), 3/4 day, 39 anglers: 338 rockcod, 2 copper rockfish, 1 whitefish.
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 5): Endeavor, full day, 30 anglers: 150 rockfish, 60 bocaccio, 60 red rockfish, 30 copper rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 5.
The NW wind builds to 10-20 kt this afternoon. Seas run 4-6 ft, rising to 5-7 ft tonight, with a long-period south swell from tropical activity mixed in.
Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area - NDBC Buoy 46011)
- Water Temp: 63.3°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Wave Height: 6-7 ft (1.8 m), elevated swell
- Wave Period: 8-15 seconds, mixed swell from NW and tropical S
- Swell Direction: NW (330°) and S (187°)
- Wind: NW 15-20 kt (gusts to 25+ kt)
- Air Temp: 62.2°F (16.8°C)
- Pressure: 1013.6 hPa (falling slightly)
- Conditions: Use caution in small boats
Marine forecast
Today: NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning, seas 4-6 ft Tonight: NW 15-20 kt, easing to 10-15 kt after midnight, seas 5-7 ft Monday: NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 5-7 ft Tuesday: NW 5-10 kt, seas 4-5 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 259 AM PDT Sun Sep 6 2026.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; lake levels from CDEC (NCM, LOP, ATN).