SLO County Fishing Report — October 12, 2026
Mondaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 water bodies
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — October 20, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Fair67°F
Seas 6-8 ft and easing after the weekend blow; light winds
Lake Nacimiento
Good742.4 ft33% capacity
Bass: Good, target deep structure; Catfish: Good in 20-35 ft
Lopez Lake
Good510.3 ft79% capacity
Bass: Good; Catfish: Good on cut bait
Santa Margarita Lake
GoodBass: Good, early morning topwater
Tides for the day
| 4:51 AM low | 2.2 ft |
|---|---|
| 11:02 AM high | 5.8 ft |
| 6:11 PM low | 0.1 ft |
- range
- 5.7 ft
- sunrise
- 7:07 AM
- sunset
- 6:32 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 | good | good | good | not reported | not reported |
| Trout | not reported | fair | not reported | fair | not reported |
By water
from the report- Water Level 742.4 ft, 126,758 AF (33% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Oct 12.
- Conditions Good fall fishing conditions
- Bass good Target deeper structure, early morning topwater
- Catfish good In 20-35 ft depth
- White Bass Active near points and creek channels
None listed.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- SW 5–10 kt
this afternoon, light winds this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
in the evening, becoming light
- Tuesday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
- Wednesdaylighter
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
in the afternoon, N 5-10 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
The ocean is settling after a rough weekend, though seas are still 6-8 ft. The lakes are the steadier bet, and the fall bite is picking up at all of them.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Water Level: 742.4 ft, 126,758 AF (33% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Oct 12.
- Conditions: Good fall fishing conditions
- Bass: Good. Target deeper structure, early morning topwater
- Catfish: Good in 20-35 ft depth
- White Bass: Active near points and creek channels
Tip: Main lake points and creek channels. The early topwater bite is the best window right now.
Lopez Lake
- Water Level: 510.3 ft, 38,845 AF (79% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Oct 12.
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Good - target deeper structure and shaded areas
- Catfish: Good on cut bait and chicken liver
- Trout: Fair - target deeper water
Tip: All launch ramps are open. Morning and evening fish best.
San Antonio Lake
- Bass: Good - focus on deeper structure
- Catfish: Good on shrimp and chicken liver
Tip: Start on the main lake points.
Santa Margarita Lake
- Conditions: Excellent
- Bass: Good. Early morning topwater action
- Trout: Fair - target deeper water
Tip: Every launch ramp is open. Go early for the best bite.
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Morro Bay Landing (Oct 12): Avenger, 3/4 day, 9 anglers: 54 rockfish, 9 copper rockfish, 6 bocaccio, 6 red rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Oct 12.
Seas are coming down from the weekend, but small boats should still be careful today.
Marine forecast
Today: SW 5-10 kt this afternoon, light winds this morning, seas 6-8 ft Tonight: NW 5-10 kt in the evening, becoming light, seas 5-7 ft Tuesday: NW 10-20 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 4-6 ft Wednesday: NW 10-15 kt in the afternoon, N 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 4-5 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 230 AM PDT Mon Oct 12 2026.
Buoy Data (NDBC Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria)
Latest observations (12:30 PDT):
- Wave Height: 2.9 m (~9.5 ft)
- Wave Period: 11 seconds (long period swell)
- Wave Direction: NW (310°)
- Air Temp: 16.5°C (62°F)
- Water Temp: 67°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Pressure: 1010.7 hPa (stable)
Wednesday looks like the best offshore day, with Thursday next. Tuesday is better, and fishing is possible.