Journal • SLO County Fishing Report — October 14, 2026

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SLO County Fishing Report — October 14, 2026

Wednesdaygauge 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

    Good

    4–5 ftNW 10–20 kt

    Seas 4-5 ft, manageable conditions

  • Lake Nacimiento

    Good

    742.3 ft33% capacity

    Bass: Good, early morning topwater; Catfish: Good

  • Lopez Lake

    Good

    510.2 ft79% capacity

    Bass: Good; Catfish: Good on cut bait

  • Santa Margarita Lake

    Good

    Bass: Good, early morning topwater

Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time

Tides for the day

-1 ft0 ft1 ft2 ft3 ft4 ft5 ft6 ft7 ft12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM1:37 AM · 3.7 ft5:41 AM · 3.0 ft11:59 AM · 5.4 ft7:43 PM · 0.4 ft
NOAA high and low tides
1:37 AM high3.7 ft
5:41 AM low3.0 ft
11:59 AM high5.4 ft
7:43 PM low0.4 ft
range
5.0 ft
sunrise
7:08 AM
sunset
6:30 PM

Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →

Bite grid

excellentgoodfairslownoted

SpeciesNacimientoLopezSanta MargaritaSan AntonioMorro Bay
Bassgoodwhitegoodgoodgoodnot reported
Catfishgoodgoodgoodgoodnot reported
Troutnot reportedfairnot reportednot reportednot reported

By water

from the report
Water
  • Water Level 742.3 ft, 126,398 AF (33% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Oct 14.
  • Conditions Good fall fishing conditions
What's biting
  • Bass good Target deeper structure, early morning topwater
  • Catfish good In 20-35 ft depth
  • White Bass Active near points and creek channels
Lures & bait

None listed.

Marine forecast

seaswindas written in the report

  1. Today
    seas
    4–5 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt

    this afternoon, N 5-10 kt this morning

  2. Tonight
    seas
    4–5 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt

    becoming N 5-10 kt after midnight

  3. Thursdaylighter
    seas
    3–5 ft
    wind
    N 5–10 kt
  4. Fridaylighter
    seas
    3–4 ft
    wind
    NE 5–10 kt
Full report2 min read ›

Seas are coming down, and the ocean is calm enough to fish today. All four major lakes are in good fall shape. Plan on early morning or evening.


Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

  • Water Level: 742.3 ft, 126,398 AF (33% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Oct 14.
  • 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: Work main lake points and creek channels, and be there for the early topwater bite.


Lopez Lake

  • Water Level: 510.2 ft, 38,814 AF (79% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Oct 13.
  • Conditions: Good clarity, healthy level for fall
  • 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. Mornings and evenings are best.


Santa Margarita Lake

  • Conditions: Excellent
  • Bass: Good. Early morning topwater action
  • Catfish: Good on cut bait

Tip: Fish the topwater bite early.


San Antonio Lake

  • Water Level: 737.9 ft, 154,233 AF (47% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Oct 14.
  • Conditions: Good for fall fishing
  • Bass: Good - target deeper structure
  • Catfish: Good on cut bait

Tip: Main lake structure, morning and evening.


Ocean Conditions

Morro Bay Landing (Oct 13): Starfire, 1/2 day, 22 anglers: 200 rockfish, 15 copper rockfish, 9 lingcod, 5 red rockfish.

Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Oct 13.

Today's Overview (October 14, 2026)

Offshore:

  • Wind: NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, N 5-10 kt this morning (forecast)
  • Seas: 4-5 ft (forecast), down from 6-8 ft on Monday
  • Wave Period: 7-8 seconds NW wind waves + 15-17 second S swell
  • Water Temp: 67°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
  • Air Temp: 67°F (19.6°C)
  • Visibility: Good

Morro Bay Coastal Waters:

  • Wind: NW 5-10 knots
  • Seas: 4-5 ft nearshore
  • Conditions: Good

Marine Forecast

Today: NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, N 5-10 kt this morning, seas 4-5 ft Tonight: NW 10-20 kt, becoming N 5-10 kt after midnight, seas 4-5 ft Thursday: N 5-10 kt, seas 3-5 ft Friday: NE 5-10 kt, seas 3-4 ft

NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 901 AM PDT Wed Oct 14 2026.

Offshore, sea bass and lingcod are the targets while the seas allow.


Compared to Yesterday (Oct 13)

Lake Conditions:

  • Lake Nacimiento: Down 0.06 ft (CDEC NCM)
  • San Antonio Lake: Stable, down 0.02 ft (CDEC ATN)

Ocean Conditions:

  • Seas: 4-6 ft forecast yesterday, 4-5 ft today
  • Winds: NW 10-20 kt in the afternoon both days
  • Water Temp: 68°F yesterday, 67°F today (NDBC 46011, morning)

Seas are dropping and the lakes are still fishing well. Wind picks up Saturday, so plan to be off the water before then.


Data Sources: CDEC, NWS zone PZZ645, NDBC Buoy 46011

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