San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-28-26
San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-28-26
Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your latest fishing report for March 28th, 2026.
🌡️ Weather Notes
Continuing warm spring conditions across SLO County! Perfect fishing weather with mild mornings and comfortable daytime highs. Light winds making for ideal lake and ocean conditions.
🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento 🌟
- Temp: ~72°F (warming!), Clear water, 58% capacity
- White Bass: ✅ EXCELLENT! Peak spawn — aggressive feeding on main lake points and creek channels
- Spotted Bass: Very active — hitting spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, and topwater in mornings
- Best Lures: White/silver blade jigs, hula grubs, spinnerbaits, pin-tail trailers, jerkbaits
- Crappie: Good — 3-inch swimbaits near rocky points and dock areas
- Bass: Great — shallow water activity excellent with warming water
- Tip: Early morning topwater bite before 8am, then switch to deeper structure
Santa Margarita Lake
- Temp: Low 60s, stained visibility, near full capacity
- Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD BIT! Fish actively feeding shallow
- Best Baits: Senkos, drop-shots, Neko rigs, shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits
- Crappie: Good on primary points — small jigs in bright colors
- Catfish: Excellent — chicken liver and garlic shrimp producing solid fish
- Tip: Focus on sunny coves and backs of protected areas
Lopez Lake
- Temp: Low 60s, slight stain
- Bass: Good — shad-colored cranks, jerkbaits, drop-shot working
- Panfish: Crappie and bluegill active near marina and creek mouths
- Tip: Morning hours best — fish deeper during afternoon heat
San Antonio Lake
- Temp: ~60°F, ~48% capacity, slightly stained
- Trout: Fair — chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait near creek inflows
- Catfish: ✅ Good! Garlic shrimp at cove backs producing 2-5 lb fish
- Bass: Improving — try shallow crankbaits and jerkbaits
- Tip: Afternoon fishing better as water temps peak
🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay
Spring ocean fishing continues to improve with warming water!
- Lingcod: Good — solid action, fish to 30+ lbs
- Rockfish: Excellent — consistent catches across species
- Vermilion Rockfish: Strong showing
- Copper Rockfish: Good numbers
- Bocaccio: Active in deeper 100-150 ft waters
- Salmon: Fair — some reports of salmon caught near the MSS
Current Bait Report:
- 🐟 Mackerel — very abundant in bay
- 🐟 Smelt — active near shore and drop-offs
- 🐟 Squid — strips working excellently!
Best Lures This Week:
- 7" Squid strips
- Hammer swimbaits
- Krocodiles
- Work 80-150 ft depth for best results
Water Temp: ~55°F at Ft. McAllister — warming steadily!
⚠️ Reminder: Spring fog season — dense sea fog possible mornings. Check conditions before heading out.
📅 Weekend Outlook
- White bass spawn winding down but still excellent action
- Bass fishing should remain strong at all lakes
- Ocean rockfish/lingcod continues to produce
- Catfish action strong system-wide
- Best bites: early mornings (6-9am) and late afternoons (4-7pm)
🎣 Get Your Gear Ready
Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.
Stay safe and tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣