San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 05-13-26

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your latest fishing report for May 13th, 2026.

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento 🌟

• Temp: ~67°F, Clear water, 65% capacity
• Bass fishing is ON FIRE! Late spring spawning action
• White Bass: ✅ EXCELLENT! Large schools active on main lake
• Spotted Bass: Crushing moving baits, especially on rocky points
• Best Lures: Bladed jigs (white/silver), hula grubs, drop shots, pin-tail trailers
• Crappie: Big slabs hitting 3-inch swimbaits near rocky pockets
• Tip: Hit the main lake points at dawn — the early bite is the best!

Santa Margarita Lake

• Temp: Low 50s, stained visibility, near full capacity
• Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD! Fish holding in 15-25 ft
• Best Baits: Senkos, drop-shots, Neko setups, finesse rigs
• Crappie: Active on primary points with bright-colored jigs
• Catfish: Excellent — big cats hitting garlic shrimp and chicken liver!
• Tip: Work the windy points for best action!

Lopez Lake

• Temp: Warming into low 60s
• Bass: Good — shad-colored crankbaits and jerkbaits working well
• Panfish: Crappie and bluegill near marina on small Rapalas and white jigs
• Tip: Drop-shotting in 20+ ft for bigger bass

San Antonio Lake

• Temp: ~55-60°F, roughly half full, slightly stained
• Trout: Fair — chartreuse/rainbow PowerBait near dam
• Catfish: ✅ Good! 2-4 lbs on garlic shrimp at backs of coves
• Bass: Active on shallow crankbaits in 10-15 ft

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🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

Late spring ocean fishing is excellent! Current conditions:

• Lingcod: Up to 35 lbs — season peaks now!
• Rockfish: Excellent action across all species
• Vermilion Rockfish: Strong showing
• Copper Rockfish: Good numbers
• Bocaccio: Active in deeper waters

Current Bait Report:

• 🐟 Mackerel swimming in the bay
• 🐟 Smelt active near shores
• 🐟 Squid — strips doing very well!

Best Ocean Lures Right Now:

• 7" Squid strips
• Big Hammer swimbaits
• Work 100-150 ft depth

Water Temp: ~52°F at Ft. McAllister — warming steadily!

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📅 What to Expect This Week

• Bass spawning should wrap up at Nacimiento — expect post-spawn patterns
• White bass schools will start to disperse but action remains strong
• Ocean fishing peaks — great time for rockfish and lingcod
• Catfish action staying hot at Santa Margarita and San Antonio

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🎣 Get Your Gear Ready

Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣