SLO County Fishing Report — May 8, 2026
Fridaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121103 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Lake Nacimiento
GoodWhite bass excellent with anglers limiting out
Lopez Lake
GoodLargemouth good overall; mornings 6-9 AM most consistent
Santa Margarita Lake
FairCrappie consistent, catfish solid; bass improving; stained
Tides for the day
| 1:55 AM high | 4.3 ft |
|---|---|
| 10:16 AM low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:09 PM high | 3.5 ft |
| 9:54 PM low | 3.2 ft |
- range
- 4.1 ft
- sunrise
- 6:05 AM
- sunset
- 7:54 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Lopez | Santa Margarita |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | excellentwhite · smallmouth | goodlargemouth | not reported |
| Catfish | notedchannel | noted | goodchannel |
| Crappie / panfish | good& bluegill | notedred-ear sunfish | noted |
| Trout | not reported | not reported | noted |
By water
from the reportNot reported.
- White bass excellent Excellent, and anglers are limiting out regularly
- Smallmouth bass Active in deeper structural areas
- Crappie & bluegill good Solid
- Channel catfish Picking up fast for night anglers
- Small swimbaits and drop shots on primary points. The fish move shallower at dawn and dusk.
- Key areas East end near the dam, main river channels, points with rocky transitions.
Full report2 min read ›
White bass anglers at Nacimiento are limiting out regularly. On the coast, halibut are on the inshore sand flats.
Lakes
No new report since May 7.
Lake Nacimiento
What's biting:
- White bass — Excellent, and anglers are limiting out regularly
- Smallmouth bass — Active in deeper structural areas
- Crappie & bluegill — Solid
- Channel catfish — Picking up fast for night anglers
Recommended techniques: Small swimbaits and drop shots on primary points. The fish move shallower at dawn and dusk.
Key areas: East end near the dam, main river channels, points with rocky transitions.
Lopez Lake
Current conditions: 515.3 ft, 42,900 AF (87% of capacity) — CDEC LOP, May 8. Morning bites (6-9 AM) have been most consistent before the wind picks up.
What's biting:
- Largemouth bass — Good overall action
- Crappie — Popular with local anglers
- Red-ear sunfish — Biting
- Catfish — Best during low-light hours
Quagga Mussel Alert: All vessels must arrive clean, drained and dry before launching.
Santa Margarita Lake
Current conditions: Stained visibility following spring inflows.
What's biting:
- Crappie — Most consistent; suspended on primary points with bright jigs
- Channel catfish — Solid, with fish to 15 lbs reported this season
- Trout — Last plant was late February 2026
Techniques: Small jigs fished slowly are working well for crappie. Catfish hitting cut bait in deeper pockets.
Ocean / Morro Bay
Morro Bay & Ocean Fishing
- Water temps 54-55°F (NDBC 46215, Diablo Canyon, morning), and yellowtail and white sea bass migrating north
- Halibut are hitting on the inshore sand flats
- Rockfish and other reef fish such as cabezon and lingcod are reliable from the jetty and the charters
- Surf fishing at Morro Strand and Avila Beach: perch active, with an occasional halibut
Charter Updates
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 7): Patriot, half day, 18 anglers: 61 rockcod, 8 lingcod, 6 red rockcod, 2 copper rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, May 7.
Regulations Reminder
CDFW has changed some ocean catch limits for 2026. Check the boundaries of the Marine Protected Areas near Point Buchon before you fish there.
Trout Season
The lakes and reservoirs are open to trout all year (CDFW); the April 25, 2026 opener was for streams.