San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-22-26

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your latest fishing report for March 22nd, 2026. Perfect spring weather today with sunny skies and temps around 68°F — get out there!

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento 🌟

• Temp: ~67-68°F, Clear water, ~58% capacity
• White Bass: ✅ EXCELLENT! Peak spring bite — windy days = best action
• Spotted Bass: Aggressive on rocky points, hitting moving baits hard
• Best Lures: Bladed jigs (white/chrome), hula grubs, drop shots, pin-tail trailers
• Crappie: Good — 3-inch swimbaits near rocky pockets, fish 10-20 ft
• Tip: Main lake points and wind-blown shores are producing best!

Santa Margarita Lake

• Temp: Low-mid 50s, clear visibility, near full capacity
• Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD! Fish in 15-25 ft, ultra-clear water demands slow presentations
• Best Baits: Senkos, drop-shots, Neko rigs, finesse worm setups
• Crappie: Active on primary points — try bright-colored jigs
• Catfish: EXCELLENT! Big cats hitting garlic shrimp and chicken liver
• Tip: Be patient — slow and steady wins in clear water!

Lopez Lake

• Temp: Warming into the 50s
• Bass: Good — shad-colored crankbaits and jerkbaits working
• Panfish: Crappie and bluegill near marina on small Rapalas and white jigs
• Tip: Deep drop-shotting in 20+ ft for quality bass

San Antonio Lake

• Temp: ~55°F, ~45% full, slight stain
• Trout: Slow — chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait in deeper water
• Catfish: ✅ Good! 2-4 lbs on garlic shrimp at cove backs
• Bass: Improving — shallow crankbaits in 10-15 ft

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🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

Spring ocean fishing is heating up! Today's weather: Sunny, 68°F, light winds 11-18 mph.

Current Bite:

• Lingcod: Up to 35 lbs — season getting stronger!
• Rockfish: Excellent action across all species
• Vermilion & Copper Rockfish: Strong numbers
• Bocaccio: Active in deeper waters

Hot Bait Report:

• 🐟 Mackerel running in the bay
• 🐟 Smelt active near shores
• 🐟 Squid strips — doing very well!

Top Ocean Lures:

• 7" Squid strips
• Big Hammer swimbaits (7")
• Target 100-150 ft depth

Water Temp: ~52-54°F — warming nicely for spring species!

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📅 What to Expect This Week

• White bass peak at Nacimiento continuing through windy days
• Bass spawning activity ramping up at all lakes
• Ocean rockfish/lingcod action improving weekly
• Catfish remain consistent at Santa Margarita and San Antonio

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🎣 Get Your Gear Ready

Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣