SLO County Fishing Report — September 29, 2026
Tuesdaygauge 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
Rough64.9°F
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, seas 6-8 ft, small craft advisory; stay in port until Thursday or Friday
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass: 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
| 12:23 AM high | 4.2 ft |
|---|---|
| 5:32 AM low | 2.1 ft |
| 11:47 AM high | 6.0 ft |
| 7:00 PM low | 0.1 ft |
- range
- 5.9 ft
- sunrise
- 6:56 AM
- sunset
- 6:50 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 reportNot reported.
- 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
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
gusts 25
- Wednesday
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
- Thursday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
Light winds
Full report2 min read ›
Strong NW wind and 6-8 ft seas hit the coast this Tuesday under a small craft advisory, and the seas ease to 4-6 ft by Thursday. The lakes are the better option today.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 ft
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
Lopez Lake
- 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: Fish the low-light hours. The evening catfish bite is the best thing going.
San Antonio Lake
- Bass: Good - focus on deeper structure during midday
- Catfish: Excellent on shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Minimal - summer slowdown
Tip: Floating debris is possible after summer inflow. Night fishing is productive.
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 28): Avenger, 3/4 day, 17 anglers: 138 rockfish, 13 red rockfish, 8 lingcod (up to 11 pounds), 2 copper rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 28.
NW wind of 15-25 kt this afternoon and seas of 6-8 ft make today a day to stay in port.
Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area)
From NDBC Buoy 46011 and the NOAA marine forecast:
- Water Temp: 64.9°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Wave Height: 7.5 ft (2.3 m) - from buoy data
- Wave Period: 8-16 seconds
- Swell Direction: NW (330°)
- Wind: NW 16-18 mph (7-8 m/s), gusts to 22 mph (10 m/s) from 330°
- Air Temp: ~61°F (16°C)
- Pressure: 1009.5 hPa and falling
Marine forecast:
- Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning, seas 6-8 ft
- Tonight: NW 10-20 kt, gusts 25, seas 6-8 ft
- Wednesday: NW 5-10 kt, seas 6-8 ft
- Thursday: Light winds, seas 4-6 ft
Small craft advisory in effect from this afternoon through this evening.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 203 AM PDT Tue Sep 29 2026.
Even nearshore fishing is rough in this. Thursday looks like the first real chance offshore, with light winds and seas of 4-6 ft.