San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 04-03-26

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your latest fishing report for April 3rd, 2026.

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento 🌟

• Temp: ~70°F, Clear water, 55% capacity
• Spring spawn in FULL swing! Water temps climbing fast
• White Bass: ✅ EXCELLENT! Multiple fish days reported
• Spotted Bass: Aggressive on main lake points and flats
• Best Lures: Bladed jigs (white/silver), hula grubs, drop shots, pin-tail trailers
• Crappie: Good on 3-inch swimbaits near rocky pockets and docks
• Catfish: Excellent — night fishing producing 10+ lb cats!
• Tip: Early morning topwater action before sun heats up the surface!

Santa Margarita Lake

• Temp: Low 50s, clear visibility, near full capacity
• Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD BIT! Fish staging in 15-25 ft
• Best Baits: Senkos, drop-shots, Neko rigs, creature baits
• Crappie: Active on points with bright-colored jigs (chartreuse, orange)
• Catfish: Good — big cats hitting garlic shrimp and chicken liver at dusk
• Tip: Focus on rocky points and the marina area for best action!

Lopez Lake

• Temp: Warming (upper 50s/low 60s)
• Bass: Good — shad-colored crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits
• Panfish: Crappie and bluegill near marina on small Rapalas and white jigs
• Catfish: Excellent at dusk on chicken liver and cut bait
• Tip: Drop-shot in 25+ ft for bigger bass

San Antonio Lake

• Temp: ~55°F, ~45% full, slight stain
• Trout: Fair — chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait near deeper channels
• Catfish: ✅ Good! 2-5 lbs on garlic shrimp and chicken liver
• Bass: Warming up — try shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits
• Tip: Focus on backs of coves for catfish action

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🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

April ocean fishing is excellent! Current conditions:

• Lingcod: ✅ GREAT! Season well underway, fish to 30+ lbs
• Rockfish: Excellent across all species
• Vermilion Rockfish: Strong numbers
• Copper Rockfish: Good action
• Bocaccio: Active in 100-200 ft water

Current Bait Report:

• 🐟 Mackerel running in the bay — great for lingcod!
• 🐟 Smelt near shores and jetty
• 🐟 Squid — strips performing very well

Best Ocean Lures Right Now:

• 7" Squid strips (lingcod favorite!)
• Big Hammer swimbaits
• 4" curly tail grubs in 100-150 ft

Water Temp: ~53°F at Ft. McAllister — warming into prime spring conditions!

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📅 What to Expect This Week

• Bass spawn peaking at Lake Nacimiento — excellent topwater bite early
• White bass action continues strong on windy days
• Lingcod season producing big fish — book your offshore trip!
• Catfish night fishing at its best — bring extra big baits

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🎣 Get Your Gear Ready

Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣