San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-09-26
San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-09-26
Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your latest fishing report for March 9th, 2026.
🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento 🌟
- Temp: ~69°F, Clear water, 61% capacity
- Spring bite is HERE! Warmer temps have fish fully activated
- White Bass: ✅ EXCELLENT! Windy conditions bringing out the best bite
- Spotted Bass: Active on rocky points and flats, crushing moving baits
- Best Lures: Bladed jigs (white/silver), hula grubs, drop shots, pin-tail trailers
- Crappie: Big slabs hitting 3-inch swimbaits near rocky pockets
- Tip: Focus on main lake points in 15-20 ft — let the wind do the work!
Santa Margarita Lake
- Temp: Low 50s, stained visibility, near full capacity
- Largemouth Bass: ✅ HOT BIT! Fish holding in 15-20 ft thanks to ultra-clear water
- Best Baits: Senkos, drop-shots, Neko setups, finesse rigs
- Crappie: Active on primary points with bright-colored jigs
- Catfish: Excellent — 15-pounders caught over the past two weeks!
- Tip: Count your bait before moving — go slow in the clear water!
Lopez Lake
- Temp: Warming up nicely
- Bass: Good — shad-colored crankbaits and jerkbaits working well
- Panfish: Crappie and bluegill near marina on small Rapalas and white jigs
- Tip: Drop-shotting in 20+ ft for higher-quality bass
San Antonio Lake
- Temp: ~55°F, roughly half full, slightly stained
- Trout: Slow — a few caught on chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait
- Catfish: ✅ Good! 2-4 lbs on garlic shrimp and chicken liver at backs of coves
- Bass: Warming up — try shallow crankbaits in 10-15 ft
🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay
Cloudy conditions today (11°C, 93% humidity) but fishing is heating up:
- Lingcod: Up to 35 lbs (season total: 2,950+)
- Rockfish: 59,000+ landed
- Vermilion Rockfish: 9,200
- Copper Rockfish: 2,250
- Bocaccio: 7,100
Current Bait Report:
- 🐟 Mackerel swimming in the bay
- 🐟 Smelt active near shores
- 🐟 Squid — strips doing very well!
Best Ocean Lures Right Now:
- Squid strips
- 7" Big Hammer swimbaits
- Work 100-150 ft depth
Water Temp: ~52°F at Ft. McAllister — warming nicely for spring!
📅 What to Expect This Week
- Bass moving into full spawn mode with continued warming
- White bass heating up at Lake Nacimiento during windy conditions
- Ocean fishing improving as water temps rise
- Catfish action remains strong at Santa Margarita and San Antonio Lakes
🎣 Get Your Gear Ready
Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.
Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣