journal / field-reports / 2026-04-05
SLO County Fishing Report — April 5, 2026
Sundaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Lake Nacimiento
Good774.5 ft65% capacity
White bass excellent at peak spawn on surface lures
Santa Margarita Lake
GoodLargemouth good bite moving shallow; catfish excellent
Lopez Lake
GoodBass good on crankbaits near points; trout improving
Morro Bay offshore
GoodRockfish season open with excellent action
Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time
Tides for the day
| 7:08 AM low | 0.0 ft |
|---|---|
| 1:38 PM high | 3.2 ft |
| 5:54 PM low | 2.3 ft |
- range
- 3.1 ft
- sunrise
- 6:44 AM
- sunset
- 7:27 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Santa Margarita | Lopez | San Antonio | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellentwhite · spotted | goodlargemouth | good | noted | not reported |
| Catfish | not reported | excellent | not reported | good | not reported |
| Crappie / panfish | good | good | notedpanfish | not reported | goodblack perch & barred surfperch |
| Trout | not reported | not reported | fair | fair | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | excellent |
| Lingcod | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | excellent |
By water
from the reportWater
- Level 774.5 ft, 247,400 AF (65% of capacity) — CDEC NCM, Apr 5.
What's biting
- White Bass excellent Peak spawning activity, aggressive on surface lures
- Spotted Bass Active on rocky points, main lake flats, and creek channels
- Crappie good Big slabs hitting 2-3 inch swimbaits near submerged timber
Lures & bait
- Bladed jigs (white/silver)
- spinnerbaits
- topwater
- drop shots
Full report2 min read ›
Rockfish season is open on the Central Coast, and the boats out of Morro Bay are finding reds, coppers, canary and vermilion. At Lake Nacimiento, white bass are at peak spawn and hitting surface lures.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
- Level: 774.5 ft, 247,400 AF (65% of capacity) — CDEC NCM, Apr 5.
- White Bass: Excellent. Peak spawning activity, aggressive on surface lures
- Spotted Bass: Active on rocky points, main lake flats, and creek channels
- Best Lures: Bladed jigs (white/silver), spinnerbaits, topwater, drop shots
- Crappie: Good - big slabs hitting 2-3 inch swimbaits near submerged timber
Santa Margarita Lake
- Largemouth Bass: Good. Fish moving shallow for pre-spawn
- Best Baits: Senkos, wacky rigs, drop-shots, jerkbaits
- Crappie: Good on primary points - try bright-colored jigs (pink/orange)
- Catfish: Excellent - chicken liver and garlic shrimp doing the job
- Tip: The water is very clear, so fish slowly with finesse baits.
Lopez Lake
- Bass: Good - shad-colored crankbaits, jerkbaits working near points
- Panfish: Bluegill and crappie active near marina on small Rapalas
- Trout: Improving - try Panther Martin spinners near dam
San Antonio Lake
- Level: 754.3 ft, 212,800 AF (64% of capacity) — CDEC ATN, Apr 5.
- Trout: Fair - chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait near inlet
- Catfish: Good. 2-5 lbs on garlic shrimp and chicken liver
- Bass: Warming up - try shallow crankbaits in 10-15 ft
Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay
Rockfish season is open, and the bite has started.
- Lingcod: Excellent.
- Rockfish: Excellent. Reds, coppers, canary and vermilion all biting
- Black Perch & Barred Surfperch: Good inshore action
Dock counts:
- Morro Bay Landing (Apr 4): Endeavor, full day, 31 anglers: 180 rockfish, 62 red rockfish, 36 bocaccio, 22 lingcod (up to 16 lb).
- Patriot Sportfishing (Apr 4): Patriot, half day, 35 anglers: 54 rockcod, 4 copper rockfish, 2 lingcod, 1 cabezon.
- Virg's Landing (Apr 4): Fiesta, half day, 30 anglers: 153 blue rockfish, 65 gopher rockfish, 60 yellowtail rockfish, 2 lingcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Apr 4.
Shore Fishing:
- Surfperch and barred surfperch from piers and beaches
- Low tide is best - focus on sandy areas with kelp