San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-24-26
San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-24-26
Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for March 24th, 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 transition underway! Here's the current rundown:
- Rockfish: ✅ GOOD! Shore fishing open year-round — best at low tide near rocks and kelp paddies
- Surfperch: ⚠️ FAIR — rough weather this week impacting beach conditions, but improving
- Lingcod: Good nearshore — try shallow water structure when conditions allow
- Flatfish: Possible in nearshore areas — check regulations
- Halibut: Starting to show — shallow sandy areas
Current Conditions:
- ⚠️ Rough surf advisories this week — check conditions before heading out
- Water temp warming slowly toward spring levels
Best Ocean Lures Right Now:
- Squid strips (7") — consistent producer
- 5-6" Swimmer baits (white/blue)
- Small cranks for surfperch
Tip: Cayucos to Morro Bay beaches good for shore rockfish at low tide. Estuary fishing remains steady for cold-water tolerant species.
📅 What to Expect This Week
- White bass peak at Lake Nacimiento should continue another week
- Bass moving toward full spawn — great week for big female catches
- Ocean conditions improving mid-week — watch surf forecasts
- Catfish consistent across all lakes
- Early salmon showing — better action expected April
🎣 Get Your Gear Ready
Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.
Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣