SLO County Fishing Report — October 15, 2026
Thursdaygauge 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
Good5–6 ftNW 6–8 kt
Calm today; seas build to 5-7 ft Sunday and 6-8 ft Monday
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass: Good, focus on deep structure; Catfish: Good in 20-35 ft depth
Lopez Lake
GoodBass: Good; Catfish: Good evening bite
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass: Fair, focus on early morning topwater
Tides for the day
| 2:55 AM high | 3.5 ft |
|---|---|
| 6:05 AM low | 3.3 ft |
| 12:34 PM high | 5.1 ft |
| 8:41 PM low | 0.6 ft |
- range
- 4.5 ft
- sunrise
- 7:09 AM
- sunset
- 6:28 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 | fair | not reported |
| Catfish | good | good | good | not reported | not reported |
| Trout | not reported | slow | noted | noted | not reported |
By water
from the report- Conditions Good clarity
- Bass good
- Catfish good In 20-35 ft depth using cut bait or chicken liver
- White Bass Active near main lake points
None listed.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Todaylighter
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
this afternoon, N 5-10 kt this morning
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
in the evening, becoming light
- Friday
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NE 10–20 kt
- Saturdaylighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- N 10–15 kt
in the afternoon, NE 5-10 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
Light northerly wind and manageable seas make Thursday a good day both offshore and on the lakes. The lakes are settling into their fall patterns and still producing.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Good.
- Catfish: Good in 20-35 ft depth using cut bait or chicken liver
- White Bass: Active near main lake points
Tip: Main lake structure and creek channels. Fall turnover is under way, and the best bite comes in low light.
Lopez Lake
- Conditions: Excellent clarity
- Bass: Good - target deeper structure during midday
- Catfish: Good evening bite using chicken liver or cut bait
- Trout: Slow - fish moving to deeper water
Tip: All launch ramps are open. Catfish are picking up as the water cools.
San Antonio Lake
- Bass: Good - focus on deeper structure during midday
- Catfish: Good on shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Minimal - fall slowdown
Tip: Watch for floating debris. Night fishing is producing as temperatures cool.
Santa Margarita Lake
- Conditions: Good clarity
- Bass: Fair - focus on early morning topwater action
- Trout: Minimal - fall transition
- Notes: All launch ramps accessible
Tip: Work points and creek channels early while fish adjust to the fall transition.
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay & Offshore
Morro Bay Landing (Oct 15): Endeavor, 3/4 day, 16 anglers: 65 rockfish, 49 bocaccio, 25 red rockfish, 16 copper rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Oct 15): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 14 anglers: 120 rockcod, 12 lingcod (up to 12 pounds), 10 copper rockfish, 6 red rockcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Oct 15.
Good Conditions Today
Light northerly winds and moderate seas mean comfortable boating on Thursday. The wind and seas build over the weekend, so today and Friday are the days to go.
Current Ocean Conditions (Morro Bay Area)
From NDBC Buoy 46011 (Santa Maria) and the NOAA marine forecast:
- Water Temp: 67.6°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Wave Height: 5-6 ft (1.6-2.0 m) - from buoy data
- Wave Period: 7-15 seconds
- Swell Direction: NW (330°)
- Wind: NW 6-8 kt (7-9 mph)
- Air Temp: ~66°F (19°C)
- Conditions: Calm and manageable
Marine forecast:
- Today: NW 10-15 kt this afternoon, N 5-10 kt this morning, seas 4-5 ft
- Tonight: NW 10-15 kt in the evening, becoming light, seas 3-4 ft
- Friday: NE 10-20 kt, seas 3-4 ft
- Saturday: N 10-15 kt in the afternoon, NE 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 3-4 ft
Seas build to 5-7 ft on Sunday and 6-8 ft on Monday, with NW 15-25 kt Monday afternoon.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 245 AM PDT Thu Oct 15 2026.
Rockfish are the target today. Plan offshore trips for today, Friday or the middle of next week.