SLO County Fishing Report — May 6, 2026
Wednesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121102 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Lake Nacimiento
GoodWhite bass excellent; largemouth good on drop shots
Lopez Lake
GoodLargemouth good overall; mornings 6-9 AM most productive
Tides for the day
| 12:16 AM high | 4.9 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:23 AM low | -0.1 ft |
| 4:23 PM high | 3.1 ft |
| 6:29 PM low | 3.1 ft |
- range
- 4.9 ft
- minus tide
- -0.1 ft
- sunrise
- 6:07 AM
- sunset
- 7:53 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Lopez |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellentwhite · largemouth · smallmouth | goodlargemouth |
| Catfish | notedchannel | noted |
| Crappie / panfish | good& bluegill | notedred-ear sunfish |
By water
from the report- Water conditions Warmer temps bringing fish into shallower feeding zones. Key fishing areas include the east end near the dam and main river channels.
- White bass excellent Numbers right now
- Largemouth bass good Action on drop shots along points and river channels
- Smallmouth bass Active in deeper areas
- Crappie & bluegill good For panfish anglers
- Channel catfish Night fishing is picking up
- Drop shots on points and river channels have been producing well
- and small swimbaits work too. Topwater has been slow. The fish seem to hold deeper as the water warms.
Full report2 min read ›
White bass are the main story at Nacimiento. At Lopez, the bass bite is best early, before the breeze comes up.
Lakes
Lake Nacimiento
What's biting:
- White bass — Excellent numbers right now
- Largemouth bass — Good action on drop shots along points and river channels
- Smallmouth bass — Active in deeper areas
- Crappie & bluegill — Solid for panfish anglers
- Channel catfish — Night fishing is picking up
Recommended techniques: Drop shots on points and river channels have been producing well, and small swimbaits work too. Topwater has been slow. The fish seem to hold deeper as the water warms.
Water conditions: Warmer temps bringing fish into shallower feeding zones. Key fishing areas include the east end near the dam and main river channels.
Lopez Lake
What's biting:
- Largemouth bass — Good overall action
- Crappie — Popular with local anglers
- Red-ear sunfish — Biting
- Catfish — Best during low-light hours
Tips: Get there early to beat the breeze. Morning fishing between 6-9 AM has been most productive.
Quagga Mussel Alert: SLO County Parks reminds anglers to clean, drain, and dry all gear between trips. These invasive mussels could do lasting damage to Lopez Lake.
Santa Margarita Lake
Species: Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Call ahead, because water levels vary with the season.
Ocean / Morro Bay
Morro Bay & Ocean Fishing
- Water temperatures are warming, and yellowtail and white sea bass are pushing north along the coast
- Halibut are starting to move onto inshore sand flats
- Rockfish and other reef fish such as cabezon and lingcod remain reliable from the jetty and charter boats
- Surf fishing at Morro Strand and Avila Beach: perch, and an occasional halibut in the surf
Dock counts:
- Virg's Landing (May 5): Fiesta, 3/4 day, 15 anglers: 34 blue rockfish, 24 gopher rockfish, 18 rockfish, 5 lingcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, May 5.
Regulations Reminder
Some ocean species have size and catch limits that changed in 2026, so check the CDFW regulations. Know the Marine Protected Area boundaries near Point Buchon before you fish.
Trout Season
The general trout opener on April 25, 2026 was for streams. SLO County lakes and reservoirs are open to trout all year (CDFW).