journal / field-reports / 2026-05-03
SLO County Fishing Report — May 3, 2026
Sundaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121103 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
GoodRockfish and lingcod excellent
Morro Bay & Cayucos surf
GoodHalibut good from Morro Rock to Sand Dollar; surfperch solid
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass good in shallows with topwater at first light; trout fair
San Antonio Lake
FairBass good and bluegill excellent; trout slow
Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time
Tides for the day
| 6:09 AM low | -0.5 ft |
|---|---|
| 12:53 PM high | 3.3 ft |
| 4:50 PM low | 2.6 ft |
| 11:08 PM high | 5.3 ft |
- range
- 5.7 ft
- minus tide
- -0.5 ft
- sunrise
- 6:10 AM
- sunset
- 7:50 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Morro Bay | Nacimiento | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | not reported | good | good |
| Catfish | not reported | noted | not reported |
| Crappie / panfish | goodsurfperch | not reported | excellentpanfish |
| Trout | not reported | fair | slow |
| Rockfish | excellent& lingcod | not reported | not reported |
| Halibut | good | not reported | not reported |
| Salmon | noted | not reported | not reported |
By water
from the reportWater
Not reported.
What's biting
- Rockfish & Lingcod excellent Excellent, off the offshore structure.
- Halibut good Nearshore. Sandy areas from Morro Rock to Sand Dollar yielding fish.
- Salmon Open since April 11.
- Surfperch good From piers and surf zones. Best on incoming tides.
Lures & bait
None listed.
- Mackerel & Sardines Great for light tackle. Schools running tight to shore.
- Morro Bay Landing (May 2) Endeavor, full day, 30 anglers: 190 rockfish, 60 red rockfish, 49 lingcod (up to 17 lb), 20 bocaccio.
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 2) Flying Fish, half day, 20 anglers: 184 rockcod, 8 bocaccio, 5 copper rockfish, 4 lingcod (up to 7 lb).
Full report1 min read ›
The boats are bringing in rockfish and lingcod, and halibut are biting on the sand between Morro Rock and Sand Dollar.
Ocean & Bay Fishing (Morro Bay)
- Rockfish & Lingcod: Excellent, off the offshore structure.
- Halibut: Good nearshore. Sandy areas from Morro Rock to Sand Dollar yielding fish.
- Salmon: Open since April 11.
- Surfperch: Solid from piers and surf zones. Best on incoming tides.
- Mackerel & Sardines: Great for light tackle. Schools running tight to shore.
Dock counts:
- Morro Bay Landing (May 2): Endeavor, full day, 30 anglers: 190 rockfish, 60 red rockfish, 49 lingcod (up to 17 lb), 20 bocaccio.
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 2): Flying Fish, half day, 20 anglers: 184 rockcod, 8 bocaccio, 5 copper rockfish, 4 lingcod (up to 7 lb).
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, May 2.
Freshwater Lakes
Lake Nacimiento ("Lake Naci")
- Bass: Good. Fish moving to shallows with warming temps. Topwater at first light.
- Trout: Fair. Most holdover fish in 20-35' depth.
- Catfish: Heating up. Night bites picking up — chicken liver and cut bait effective.
Lake San Antonio
- Bass: Good. Schools staging on main lake points.
- Trout: Slow. Deep diving lures early.
- Panfish: Excellent. Bluegill hitting small worms and crickets.
Weather
Sunny, highs in the the low 70s.