SLO County Fishing Report — September 7, 2026

Monday, September 7th - Conditions are improving across the board! Ocean conditions are calming down from yesterday's Small Craft Advisory, and lakes remain in excellent shape. Late-summer fishing continues to deliver solid action.

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🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento (~75.5% Capacity) ⭐

• Storage: ~285,500 acre-ft (75.5% of 377,900 acre-ft capacity)
• Water Level: ~762-763 ft MSL
• Water Temp: ~74-78°F (surface), cooler deep
• Conditions: 109% of normal - excellent late-summer levels!
• Bass: ⭐ Excellent! Topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday
• Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 ft depth
• White Bass: Active near shad schools

💡 Tip: Lake is at 75.5% capacity - excellent water levels with plenty of structure accessible. Early morning topwater bite is on fire right now! Night fishing also productive.

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Lopez Lake (~93% Capacity)

• Storage: ~48,800 acre-ft (93% of 52,500 acre-ft capacity)
• Water Temp: ~70-74°F
• Conditions: 129% of normal - well above normal 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. Evening catfish bite is hot right now!

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Lake Nacimiento vs Yesterday

Metric	Today	Yesterday	Trend
Level	~762-763 ft	~762 ft	➡️ Stable
Storage	~285,500 ac-ft	285,131 ac-ft	➡️ Stable
Capacity	75.5%	75.5%	➡️ Stable

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San Antonio Lake (~145% of Normal)

• Storage: ~265,000 acre-ft (145% 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

💡 Tip: Well above normal - excellent water levels. Watch for floating debris. Night fishing productive!

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Santa Margarita Lake (~102% Capacity)

• Storage: ~24,000 acre-ft
• Conditions: Above full pool, good water levels
• Bass: ⭐ Excellent! Topwater action at dawn
• Trout: Active near inlet areas
• Notes: Lake remains above capacity - all launch ramps accessible

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🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore

✅ Conditions Improving - Small Craft Advisory Expired

The Small Craft Advisory from yesterday has expired. Winds are decreasing and conditions are improving across the central coast. Small craft should still exercise caution this morning but conditions will be much better this afternoon.

Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area - NOAA Forecast)

Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas (PZZ565-076):

• Wind Today: NW 5-10 kt, rising to 10-15 kt this afternoon
• Seas: 5-6 ft (Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 8 seconds and S 4 ft at 13 seconds)
• Wind Tonight: NW 5-10 kt
• Water Temp: ~63°F (estimated from buoy data)
• Outlook: Gradual improvement through Tuesday

Monterey Bay (PZZ535):

• Wind Today: N around 5 kt, backing to W this afternoon. Seas 3-4 ft
• Wind Tonight: SW 5-10 kt, becoming E after midnight. Seas 3-4 ft
• Conditions: ⭐ Great for bay fishing!

Morro Bay Overview:

• NW winds 5-15 kt, seas 4-6 ft
• Long-period southerly swell (4-5 ft at 12-13 seconds) from distant tropical activity
• Best fishing windows: Early morning and late afternoon when winds are lightest

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🌊 Tides - Morro Bay (NOAA Station 9412110)

Based on NOAA predictions for September 7, 2026:

Tide	Time (PDT)	Height
Low	3:04 AM	-0.9 ft (-0.27 m)
High	10:17 AM	9.3 ft (2.83 m)
Low	1:44 PM	7.5 ft (2.29 m)
High	7:55 PM	16.4 ft (5.00 m)

Tide Range: ~17.3 ft - Large tidal range, excellent for structure fishing!

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🌙 Solunar Times (September 7, 2026)

Based on lunar data (Waxing Crescent - 14% illumination):

Period	Time (PDT)
Minor	6:03 AM - 8:03 AM
Major	12:18 PM - 2:18 PM
Minor	6:33 PM - 8:33 PM
Major	12:18 AM - 2:18 AM

Best Fishing Windows:

• Early Morning (6:03 - 8:03 AM) ⭐
• Midday (12:18 - 2:18 PM)
• Evening (6:33 - 8:33 PM)
• Late Night (12:18 - 2:18 AM)

Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent (14% illumination) - Increasing light, good overall conditions

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📅 Week Outlook

Lakes

✅ Great conditions for lake fishing! Water levels are excellent (109% of normal at Nacimiento, 129% at Lopez). Early morning topwater bites are excellent. Night fishing productive as temperatures cool. Bass fishing remains strong!

Ocean

✅ Improving! Small Craft Advisory has expired. NW winds 5-15 kt, seas 4-6 ft. Great for both bay and offshore fishing. Long-period southerly swell from tropical activity creating some elevated surf. Best conditions expected mid-week.

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📊 Quick Reference

Lake	Capacity/Normal	Temp	Rating
Nacimiento	75.5% (109% norm)	74-78°F	⭐ Excellent
Lopez	93% (129% norm)	70-74°F	✅ Good
San Antonio	145% norm	70-74°F	✅ Good
Santa Margarita	~102%	72-76°F	⭐ Good

Ocean (Morro Bay): ✅ Improving - Small Craft Advisory expired, NW 5-15 kt, seas 4-6 ft

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Report compiled September 7, 2026. Lake levels from recent USBR data. Ocean data from NOAA Marine Forecast (FZUS56 KMTR). Tides from NOAA Station 9412110 via TideTime.org.