San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 03-29-26

FishingMarch 29, 2026

Happy Sunday! 🌊 Here's the latest fishing report for the Central Coast.

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Conditions: Near-ideal spring conditions. Lake is open to all boating. Water temps in the mid-to-high 50s — perfect for trout and bass.

Rainbow Trout: EXCELLENT — CDFW stocked 12-inch trout on March 8th, and holdover fish (3+ lbs) are still being caught. Use 12-inch leaders with PowerBait (chartreuse, rainbow, or mice tail) from shore near the marina. Trollers pulling orange/pink spinners or dodgers are also pulling limits.
Smallmouth Bass: GOOD — Creek arms are hot! Bass are feeding heavily on shad and crawdads. Try soft plastics, shad-colored crankbaits, and jerkbaits near the oak-lined coves.
Crappie & Bluegill: Active near the marina and in shallower areas. Small Rapalas, white jigs, and redworms are working well.
Blue Catfish: Decent reports — try chicken liver or garlic shrimp near the deeper creek channels.

Conditions: Lake is full, water temps in the low 50s, reduced visibility following recent spring storms.

Largemouth Bass: Picking up! Water is warming and bass are moving into pre-spawn mode. Focus on shallow areas near shoreline — swim jigs and paddle tail trailers are producing fish in the 2 lb range.
Red-ear Sunfish: Good action — try crickets or worms near vegetated coves.
Crappie: Biting in calmer, shallower pockets near structure.
Tip: Reduced visibility means fish may respond better to noisier presentations (buzzbaits, chatterbaits) in addition to finesse plastics.

Largemouth Bass: HOT BIT! 65°F, partially cloudy — bass are holding tight to shore within 15 feet. Best time 9:00–11:00 AM.
Presentation: Ned Rig, Swing Head, Texas-rigged stick bait in natural colors. 2-2.5 lb average with fish up to 3.5-4 lbs reported.
Spotted Bass: Active on drop-offs and rocky structure.

Conditions: 67-70°F, clear water — excellent spring fishing across the board!

White Bass: EXCELLENT — One of the best catch ratios in the state right now. Hit windy main lake points with white bladed jigs.
Largemouth Bass: EXCELLENT 🔥 — Full pre-spawn mode! Spotted bass and largemouth are both aggressive. Try bladed jigs, small plastics, and topwater at dawn. Fish main lake points (15-25 ft), rocky coves, and transitioning areas.
Spotted Bass: Active on rocky points and flats, eating moving baits.
Crappie: Big slabs (1-2 lbs) hitting 3" swimbaits near rocky pockets.
Catfish: Good early morning and evening — try chicken liver or cut bait.

Water Temp: ~53°F, roughly half full
Trout: Slow — a few caught on chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait
Catfish: ✅ Good! 2-4 lbs on garlic shrimp and chicken liver
Bass: Deep winter pattern transitioning to spring — try deep-diving crankbaits in 15-25 feet; start exploring shallower areas as water warms.

Offshore fishing is strong heading into late March! Recent charter highlights from Morro Bay Landing:

Lingcod: 11 lbs landed by Steve Lewis on Endeavor (3/4 day trip) — season totals now over 2,800!
Rockfish: 56,000+ landed this season
Vermilion Rockfish: 8,670
Copper Rockfish: 2,085
Bocaccio: 6,615
Sheephead: Big 10 lb sheephead landed — also caught on recent trips!

Sea conditions have been flat with light wind and some morning foggy clouds — great for offshore charters.

Note: Quillback rockfish and yelloweye rockfish retention remains prohibited in California. Check current CDFW regulations before your trip.

Book early — spring is prime time and charters are filling up!

Warming trend — water temps climbing across all lakes means bass and trout activity should increase
Pre-spawn bass — Lake Nacimiento and Santa Margarita are prime locations
Trout stocking — CDFW trout plants continue through early spring
Ocean fishing — rockfish and lingcod remain the star draws; salmon season status depends on CDFW announcements

Planning a trip? Check our Fishing Guide for species info and local regulations.

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣