San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-23-26
San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-23-26
Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for March 23rd, 2026.
🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento 🌟
- Temp: ~68°F, Clear water, 58% capacity
- White Bass: ✅ EXCELLENT! Peak spring run continuing — great catches on bladed jigs and silver spoons
- Spotted Bass: Active on main lake points and flats — responding well to reaction baits
- Largemouth: Pre-spawn aggression building — flip jigs and chatterbaits working
- Best Lures: White/silver blade jigs, hula grubs, pin-tail trailers, jerkbaits
- Crappie: Good — 2-3 inch swimbaits near rocky pockets in 15-25 ft
- Tip: Mornings best for topwater action, switch to deeper rigs by midday!
Santa Margarita Lake
- Temp: Low 50s, clear water, near full capacity
- Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD! Fish moving up on points, hitting senkos and drop-shots
- Crappie: Active on points and marina structure — small bright jigs
- Catfish: ✅ EXCELLENT! Big cats on garlic shrimp and chicken liver
- Trout: Scattered — a few caught on rainbow PowerBait near dam
- Tip: Early morning topwater bite picking up — try Spooks and Pop-Rs!
Lopez Lake
- Temp: Warming into the 50s
- Bass: Good — shad-colored crankbaits and jerkbaits on main lake points
- Panfish: Crappie and bluegill near marina on small Rapalas and white jigs
- Catfish: Improving — chicken liver at night in deeper coves
- Tip: Focus on 20-30 ft depths with drop-shot rigs
San Antonio Lake
- Temp: ~56°F, roughly 48% full, slight stain
- Trout: ✅ FAIR — IMPROVING! Warmer temps bringing fish up — chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait
- Catfish: ✅ GOOD! 2-5 lbs on garlic shrimp at cove backs
- Bass: Warming up — try shallow running crankbaits in 10-15 ft
- Tip: Best trout action early morning near the dam
🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay
Spring ocean fishing is heating up! Here's the current rundown:
- Rockfish: ✅ EXCELLENT! Full variety biting — vermilion, copper, blues all active
- Lingcod: Good — up to 30+ lbs, plenty of smaller keepers too
- Bocaccio: Active in deeper 150-200 ft waters
- Salmon: Some early kings showing up — expect improved action through April
- Halibut: Starting to show — try shallow sandy areas
Current Bait Report:
- 🐟 Mackerel — excellent for rockfish/lingcod
- 🐟 Smelt — great for lingcod
- 🐟 Squid — consistent producer
Best Ocean Lures Right Now:
- 7" Squid strips
- 5-6" Swimbaits (white/blue)
- Deep-diving cranks for rockfish
Water Temp: ~53°F at Ft. McAllister — spring warming trend continues!
📅 What to Expect This Week
- White bass peak at Lake Nacimiento should continue another week
- Bass moving toward full spawn — best week for big female catches
- Ocean rockfish/lingcod action at peak
- Early salmon showing good numbers — worth a try!
- Catfish remain consistent across all lakes
🎣 Get Your Gear Ready
Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.
Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣