SLO County Fishing Report — September 30, 2026
Wednesdaygauge 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
Fair7–8 ftwater 65°F
W 5-10 kt, seas 5-7 ft today, easing; Friday the best offshore day
Lake Nacimiento
GoodTopwater bass at dawn, diving plugs in 15-25 ft at midday
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
| 1:28 AM high | 3.8 ft |
|---|---|
| 6:04 AM low | 2.5 ft |
| 12:27 PM high | 6.0 ft |
| 8:02 PM low | 0.1 ft |
- range
- 5.9 ft
- sunrise
- 6:57 AM
- sunset
- 6:49 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 action at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish excellent In 20-35 ft depth
- White Bass Active near shad schools
None listed.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 5–6 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
- Thursdaylighter
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
NW 5-10 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
- Fridaylighter
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
NW 5-10 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
The fall storm starts to move out on Wednesday, but seas are still 5-7 ft today and ease through the week. The lakes are still fishing well, and the water is comfortable enough to fish all day.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater action at dawn, deep structure midday
- Catfish: Excellent in 20-35 ft depth
- White Bass: Active near shad schools
Tip: Work main-lake structure and creek channels. The topwater bite is best early, and night fishing is productive as temps cool. At midday, try diving plugs in 15-25 ft.
Lopez Lake
- Conditions: Excellent clarity
- Bass: Good - target deeper structure during midday heat
- Catfish: Excellent in evening using chicken liver or cut bait
- Trout: Slow - water warming, fish holding deeper
Tip: Fish the low-light hours. For evening catfish, anchor and fish the bottom in 25-35 ft.
San Antonio Lake
- Bass: Good - focus on deeper structure during midday
- Catfish: Excellent on shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Minimal - summer slowdown
Tip: Watch for floating debris after the summer inflow. After dark, try cut bait around the points.
Santa Margarita Lake
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Excellent. Topwater action at dawn
- Trout: Active near inlet areas
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area)
From NDBC Buoy 46011 and the NOAA marine forecast:
- Water Temp: 65°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Wave Height: 7-8 ft (2.1-2.4 m), from buoy data
- Wave Period: 9-11 seconds
- Swell Direction: NW (290-310°)
- Wind: NW 15-25 mph (7-11 m/s) from 320°
- Air Temp: ~58-60°F (14-16°C)
Marine forecast:
- Today: W 5-10 kt, seas 5-7 ft
- Tonight: NW 5-10 kt, seas 5-6 ft
- Thursday: NW 5-10 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 4-6 ft
- Friday: NW 5-10 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 3-5 ft
A small craft advisory ran until 3 AM this morning.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 304 AM PDT Wed Sep 30 2026.
Offshore is still lumpy but getting better, and nearshore is fishable with care. Thursday is better than today. Friday, with light winds and 3-5 ft seas, is the best offshore day of the week.