SLO County Fishing Report — September 19, 2026
Saturdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121104 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
NW 20-25 kt this afternoon, seas 4-6 ft, small craft advisory; nearshore only until Monday
Lake Nacimiento
Good745.8 ft36% capacity
Bass excellent on dawn topwater; catfish in 20-35 ft
Lopez Lake
GoodEvening catfish on chicken liver or cut bait
Santa Margarita Lake
GoodBass on topwater at dawn, trout near the inlets
Tides for the day
| 12:01 AM low | 0.9 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:13 AM high | 3.7 ft |
| 11:08 AM low | 3.5 ft |
| 5:02 PM high | 4.6 ft |
- range
- 3.7 ft
- sunrise
- 6:49 AM
- sunset
- 7:05 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Lopez | Santa Margarita | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellentwhite | good | excellent | not reported |
| Catfish | excellent | excellent | not reported | not reported |
| Trout | not reported | slow | noted | not reported |
By water
from the report- Water Level 745.8 ft, 136,998 AF (36% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 19.
- Conditions Typical late-summer level
- 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 20–25 kt
NW 20-25 kt this afternoon, 10-20 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
easing to 10-15 kt after midnight
- Sunday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
- Monday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–20 kt
NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
Northwest winds of 20-25 kt this afternoon, under a small craft advisory through late tonight, make Saturday a rough day offshore. The lakes are the easier weekend trip.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Water Level: 745.8 ft, 136,998 AF (36% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 19.
- Conditions: Typical late-summer level
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 ft
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
Tip: Fish main-lake structure and creek channels. Night fishing is productive as temps cool.
Lopez Lake
- Storage: 511.0 ft, 39,380 AF (80% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 19.
- Conditions: Excellent clarity
- Bass: Good - target deeper structure during midday heat
- 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 current levels.
San Antonio Lake
No new report from San Antonio Lake since September 14.
Santa Margarita Lake
- Conditions: Slightly turbid from recent inflows
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater at dawn
- Trout: Active near inlet areas
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 18): Starfire, 3/4 day, 24 anglers: 150 bocaccio, 48 red rockfish, 30 rockfish, 14 lingcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 18.
Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area)
From NDBC Buoy 46011 (Santa Maria) and the NOAA marine forecast:
- Water Temp: 68°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Wave Height: 6-7 ft (2.0-2.1 m) - from buoy data
- Wave Period: 7-8 seconds
- Swell Direction: NW (320°)
- Wind: NW 15-20 kt (17-23 mph)
- Air Temp: ~62°F (17°C)
- Conditions: Rough offshore
Marine forecast:
- Today: NW 20-25 kt this afternoon, 10-20 kt this morning, seas 4-6 ft
- Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-15 kt after midnight, seas 4-6 ft
- Sunday: NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft
- Monday: NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft
Small craft advisory in effect through late tonight.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 313 AM PDT Sat Sep 19 2026.
Short-period seas at 7-8 seconds are steep. Fish nearshore or wait for Monday.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; lake levels from CDEC (NCM, LOP).