San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 07-05-26
San Luis Obispo County Fishing Report: 07-05-26
Happy Sunday, Central Coast anglers! 🎣 Here's your fishing report for July 5th, 2026.
🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento 🌟
- Temp: ~82-86°F, Clear water, ~75% capacity (elevation ~770 ft)
- Note: Lake below average for this date - storage about 10% of historical normal
- White Bass: ✅ GOOD — early morning shallow bite before heat pushes fish deep
- Spotted Bass: Excellent on main lake points, schooling on shad
- Best Lures: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits (shad colors), topwater early AM
- Catfish: ✅ EXCELLENT! Big cats stacking in 20-30 ft, night fishing hot
- Tip: Fish dawn (5:30-8 AM) or dusk/night — mid-day heat pushes fish deep!
Santa Margarita Lake
- Temp: Low-mid 70s, slightly stained, ~101% capacity (overflowing!)
- Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD — fish deep structure, schooling at dusk
- Best Baits: Deep-diving crankbaits, drop-shots, Texas rigs
- Crappie: Good on deep brush in 20-30 ft
- Catfish: Excellent — chicken liver and garlic shrimp
Lopez Lake
- Temp: Low-mid 70s, warming, 93% capacity (48,679 acre-ft)
- Bass: Good — deep crankbaits and drop-shots working
- Panfish: Bluegill and crappie near marina structure
San Antonio Lake
- Temp: Mid 60s, ~56% capacity, slightly stained
- Trout: Slow — try PowerBait at dawn near inlet
- Catfish: ✅ Good! Big cats on chicken liver
- Bass: Fair on shallow crankbaits early morning
🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay
Current Conditions (Pt. Conception Buoy 46011 - July 5, 12:30 PM):
- Water Temp: 61°F (16.0°C) ⬆️ UP 1°F from yesterday
- Air Temp: 59°F (15.1°C)
- Wind: NW 320° at 10 knots (5.0 m/s), gusts to 12 knots (6.0 m/s)
- Wave Height: 4.5-5 ft (1.4-1.6m)
- Wave Period: 8 seconds
- Visibility: Good
NOAA Marine Forecast - Central Coast (July 5):
- Today: NW wind 5-10 kt, seas 5-6 ft. Partly cloudy.
- Tonight: NW wind 10-15 kt, seas 5-6 ft.
- Tuesday: NW wind 15-20 kt, seas 6-7 ft.
- Wednesday-Thursday: WARNING - NW 20-25 kt, seas 7-11 ft expected!
Ocean Report:
- Lingcod: Good — up to 25 lbs reported
- Rockfish: Excellent action across all species
- Vermilion Rockfish: Strong showing in 100-150 ft
- Copper Rockfish: Good numbers
- Blue Rockfish: Abundant!
Current Bait Report:
- 🐟 Mackerel active in the bay
- 🐟 Sardines showing up — great for trolling!
- 🐟 Squid — consistent performer
🌊 Morro Bay Tides (July 5)
High Tides:
- 5:58 AM (4.9 ft)
- 6:47 PM (4.8 ft)
Low Tides:
- 12:06 PM (0.2 ft)
- 12:24 AM (1.3 ft)
Plan your tide fishing around these times!
Solunar Times (July 5-6)
Major Feeding Periods:
- 5:45 AM - 7:45 AM
- 6:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Minor Feeding Periods:
- 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM
- 12:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Plan your trips around these times for best results!
🎣 Weekly Outlook
Monday (7/6):
- Similar conditions to today
- Good fishing window before winds increase
Tuesday-Thursday:
- ⚠️ WARNING: Strong winds (20-25 knots) expected
- Sea conditions will be rough - 7-11 ft waves
- Best to stay in port or fish protected waters
Friday-Saturday:
- Winds should decrease
- Better ocean conditions expected
🎣 Get Your Gear Ready
Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.
Tips for This Week:
- Fish early morning before winds pick up
- Target deep structure as lakes warm
- Ocean fishing best Monday before storm system
- Night catfish fishing excellent at all lakes
Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣