SLO County Fishing Report — September 12, 2026
Saturdaygauge 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
Fair5–6 ftwater 65.5°F
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, seas 4-7 ft, small craft advisory; rougher Sunday, better by Monday
Lake Nacimiento
Good747.6 ft37% capacity
Bass: Good, 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: Good, topwater action at dawn; Trout: Active near inlet areas
Tides for the day
| 5:12 AM low | 0.6 ft |
|---|---|
| 11:25 AM high | 5.4 ft |
| 5:43 PM low | 0.7 ft |
| 11:45 PM high | 4.9 ft |
- range
- 4.8 ft
- sunrise
- 6:44 AM
- sunset
- 7:15 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Lopez | San Antonio | Santa Margarita | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | goodwhite | good | good | good | 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 747.6 ft, 142,855 AF (37% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 12.
- Bass good 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
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
easing to 10-15 kt after midnight
- Sunday
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 20–30 kt
NW 20-30 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning
- Monday
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
The ocean is rough this Saturday, with NW winds of 15-25 kt. The lakes are still fishing well, so fish a lake today or wait for the ocean to settle early next week.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Water Level: 747.6 ft, 142,855 AF (37% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 12.
- Bass: Good. Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 ft
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
Lopez Lake
- Storage: 511.2 ft, 39,570 AF (80% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 12.
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Good.
- Catfish: Excellent in the evening on chicken liver or cut bait
- Trout: Slow - water warming, fish holding deeper
Tip: Most launch ramps are open. Catfish bite in the evening.
San Antonio Lake
- Storage: 740.3 ft, 161,974 AF (49% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Sep 12.
- 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
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Good. Topwater at dawn
- Trout: Active near inlet areas
- Notes: All launch ramps accessible
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 11): Avenger, 3/4 day, 26 anglers: 200 rockfish, 30 red rockfish, 25 bocaccio, 5 copper rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 11): Patriot (Avila Beach), 3/4 day, 25 anglers: 248 rockcod, 5 whitefish (up to 3 pounds), 2 bocaccio.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 11.
Small boats should put off ocean trips today if they can.
Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area)
- Water Temp: 65.5°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Wave Height: 5-6 ft (1.5 m) - moderate swell
- Wave Period: 14 seconds
- Swell Direction: NW (330°)
- Wind: NW at 13-16 mph (6-7 m/s)
- Air Temp: ~63°F (17°C)
- Conditions: Use caution
Marine forecast
Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning, seas 4-5 ft Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-15 kt after midnight, seas 5-7 ft Sunday: NW 20-30 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 6-8 ft Monday: NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 5-7 ft
Small craft advisory in effect from noon today through this evening.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 238 AM PDT Sat Sep 12 2026.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; lake levels from CDEC (NCM, LOP, ATN).