Journal • SLO County Fishing Report — July 14, 2026

journal / field-reports / 2026-07-14

SLO County Fishing Report — July 14, 2026

Tuesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121104 water bodies

Verdicts by place

  • Morro Bay offshore

    Fair

    3–4 ftNW 5–10 kt

    Small Craft Advisory in effect; Use Caution

  • Lake Nacimiento

    Good

    ~72-76°F75% capacity

    White Bass: Good; Spotted Bass: Good on main lake points, actively schooling on shad

  • Lopez Lake

    Good

    mid 70s°F

    Bass: Good

  • Santa Margarita Lake

    Good

    Mid-60s°F

    Largemouth Bass: Good; Crappie: Good on deep brush in 20-30 ft

Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time

Tides for the day

-2 ft0 ft2 ft4 ft6 ft8 ft12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM5:05 AM · -1.7 ft11:46 AM · 4.0 ft4:11 PM · 2.4 ft10:23 PM · 6.8 ft
NOAA high and low tides
5:05 AM low-1.7 ft
11:46 AM high4.0 ft
4:11 PM low2.4 ft
10:23 PM high6.8 ft
range
8.5 ft
minus tide
-1.7 ft
sunrise
5:59 AM
sunset
8:18 PM

Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →

Bite grid

excellentgoodfairslownoted

SpeciesNacimientoSanta MargaritaLopezMorro Bay
Bassgoodwhite · spottedgoodlargemouthgoodnot reported
Catfishexcellentnot reportednot reportednot reported
Crappie / panfishnot reportedgoodnotedpanfishnot reported
Troutnot reportednotedrainbownot reportednot reported
Rockfishnot reportednot reportednot reportedexcellentvermilion · copper · blue
Lingcodnot reportednot reportednot reportedgood
Salmonnot reportednot reportednot reportedslow

By water

from the report
Water
  • Water Level ~762 ft MSL (stable)
  • Capacity ~75%
  • Temp ~72-76°F (summer thermal structure)
What's biting
  • White Bass good Early morning shallow bite (6-9 AM), then deep
  • Spotted Bass good On main lake points, actively schooling on shad
  • Catfish excellent Big cats stacking in 20-30 ft depth
Lures & bait
  • Spinnerbaits (white/chrome)
  • crankbaits (shad patterns)
  • topwater early AM
  • Striper Good — trophy season heating up

Fish during low-light hours — early morning (6-9 AM) or evening (6-8 PM) for best action!

Marine forecast

seaswindas written in the report

  1. Tuesday
    seas
    4–5 ft

    NW wind 10-15 kt, — Good conditions for most vessels

  2. Wednesday
    seas
    5–7 ft

    NW wind 15-20 kt, — Building

  3. Thursday
    seas
    6–8 ft

    NW wind 20-25 kt, — Rough, advisory likely

  4. Friday
    seas
    6–8 ft

    NW wind 15-20 kt, — Improving

Full report3 min read ›

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for July 14th, 2026.

📊 Lake Levels Update (USGS Data)

LakeLevelTrendCapacity
Lake Nacimiento~762 ftStable~75%
Lopez Lake~52,500 AFStable~52%
Santa Margarita LakeNear FullStable~95%+

Note: Lake levels stable with summer evaporation balanced by minimal inflow. Water temps warming into summer patterns.

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento 🌟

  • Water Level: ~762 ft MSL (stable)
  • Capacity: ~75%
  • Temp: ~72-76°F (summer thermal structure)
  • White Bass: ✅ GOOD — early morning shallow bite (6-9 AM), then deep
  • Spotted Bass: Good on main lake points, actively schooling on shad
  • Best Lures: Spinnerbaits (white/chrome), crankbaits (shad patterns), topwater early AM
  • Catfish: ✅ EXCELLENT! Big cats stacking in 20-30 ft depth
  • Striper: Good — trophy season heating up
  • Tip: Fish during low-light hours — early morning (6-9 AM) or evening (6-8 PM) for best action!

Santa Margarita Lake

  • Status: Near full capacity
  • Temp: Mid-60s to low 70s
  • Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD — fish deep structure, schooling at dusk
  • Rainbow Trout: Stocking ongoing - check local regs
  • Best Baits: Deep-diving crankbaits, drop-shots, Texas rigs, nightcrawlers
  • Crappie: Good on deep brush in 20-30 ft
  • Tip: Focus on deep water during hot summer days, focus on docks and creek channels at dawn/dusk!

Lopez Lake

  • Status: Normal summer operations
  • Temp: Low-to-mid 70s
  • Bass: Good — deep crankbaits and drop-shots working well
  • Panfish: Bluegill and crappie near marina structure and creek channels
  • Kokanee: Good in deep water (30-50 ft) — troll with dodgers and wedding bands
  • Tip: Fish the deep pockets and creek channels early and late

🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

⚠️ SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT — Use Caution!

Current Conditions (NOAA/NDBC Buoy 46011)

  • Wind: NW 5-10 kt (gusts to 15 kt)
  • Wave Height: 3-4 ft at buoy (~1.1-1.3m)
  • Water Temp: 61°F (16°C) at Buoy 46011
  • Visibility: Good
  • Swell Period: 8-13 seconds (moderate swell)
  • Swell Direction: Mixed SW/NW

Today's Forecast (NOAA)

Tuesday: NW wind 10-15 kt, Seas 4-5 ft — Good conditions for most vessels Wednesday: NW wind 15-20 kt, Seas 5-7 ft — Building Thursday: NW wind 20-25 kt, Seas 6-8 ft — Rough, advisory likely Friday: NW wind 15-20 kt, Seas 6-8 ft — Improving

Fishing Report

Summer ocean fishing is heating up! Current conditions are workable but expect increasing winds toward week's end.

  • Lingcod: ✅ GOOD — up to 25+ lbs reported, best in 80-150 ft
  • Rockfish: ✅ EXCELLENT action across all species
  • Vermilion Rockfish: Strong in 100-180 ft
  • Copper Rockfish: Good numbers in rocky structure
  • Blue Rockfish: Abundant, great table fare!
  • Salmon: Closed — season opens later check CDFW regulations

Current Bait Report:

  • 🐟 Mackerel active in the bay and nearshore
  • 🐟 Sardines showing in good numbers — excellent for trolling
  • 🐟 Squid — consistent performer, available in bay

Best Ocean Lures Right Now:

  • 7" Squid strips (fresh is best!)
  • 5" Swimbaits (anchovy/sardine colors)
  • Deep-diving crankbaits for trolling (18-25 ft divers)
  • Metal jigs (2-4 oz) for vertical jigging

💡 Pro Tip: Head out early (before 9 AM) when winds are lightest. Conditions deteriorate mid-afternoon!

🌙 Solunar Times (July 14-17)

DateMajor 1Minor 1Major 2Minor 2
Tue 146:45 AM12:45 PM7:15 PM1:00 AM
Wed 157:30 AM1:30 PM8:00 PM1:45 AM
Thu 168:15 AM2:15 PM8:45 PM2:30 AM
Fri 179:00 AM3:00 PM9:30 PM3:15 AM

Best fishing: Early morning (6:30-9 AM) and evening (7-9 PM) windows Minor periods: Mid-morning (12-2 PM) and overnight (1-3 AM)

📅 This Week's Outlook

  • Tuesday: Good ocean conditions, light winds AM — great for fishing!
  • Wednesday: Winds increasing, smaller craft caution advised
  • Thursday: Rough conditions expected, small craft advisory likely
  • Friday: Improving conditions, best ocean day this week
  • Weekend: Saturday looks best for ocean, Sunday good too
  • Lake fishing: Early morning/evening best to avoid heat

🎣 Get Your Gear Ready

Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.

⚠️ Safety Note: Small craft advisory in effect — check conditions before heading out. Wear PFD, carry safety gear, and let someone know your plans!

🐟 CDFW Reminders:

  • Check current regulations before fishing
  • Know your limits
  • Rockfish conservation areas in effect
  • Salmon season closed — check for upcoming opener

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣

Data Sources: USGS, NOAA/NDBC, CDEC, Solunar.com

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