Journal • SLO County Fishing Report — July 21, 2026

journal / field-reports / 2026-07-21

SLO County Fishing Report — July 21, 2026

Tuesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 water bodies

Verdicts by place

  • Morro Bay offshore

    Good

    4–5 ftNW 5–12 kt

    NW 5-10 kt, Seas 4-5 ft; Great conditions

  • Lake Nacimiento

    Good

    ~72-76°F

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

  • Lopez Lake

    Good

    low 70s°F

    Bass: Good

  • Santa Margarita Lake

    Good

    Mid-60s°F

    Largemouth Bass: Good; Trout: Stocked regularly, good action

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

Tides for the day

0 ft1 ft2 ft3 ft4 ft5 ft6 ft12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM4:35 AM · 3.1 ft9:44 AM · 1.9 ft4:48 PM · 5.1 ft
NOAA high and low tides
4:35 AM high3.1 ft
9:44 AM low1.9 ft
4:48 PM high5.1 ft
range
3.2 ft
sunrise
6:04 AM
sunset
8:15 PM

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

Bite grid

excellentgoodfairslownoted

SpeciesNacimientoSanta MargaritaLopezSan AntonioMorro Bay
Bassgoodwhite · spottedgoodlargemouthgoodgoodnot reported
Catfishexcellentnot reportednot reportedgoodnot reported
Crappie / panfishnot reportedgoodnotedpanfishnot reportednot reported
Troutnot reportednotednot reportednot reportednot reported
Rockfishnot reportednot reportednot reportednot reportedexcellentvermilion · copper · blue
Lingcodnot reportednot reportednot reportednot reportedgood
Salmonnot reportednot reportednot reportednot reportedslow

By water

from the report
Water
  • Water Level 760.40 ft MSL (+0.03 ft from yesterday)
  • Temp ~72-76°F (summer mode)
What's biting
  • White Bass good Early morning shallow bite, then deep
  • Spotted Bass good On main lake points, schooling on shad
  • Catfish excellent Big cats stacking in 20-30 ft
Lures & bait
  • Spinnerbaits
  • crankbaits (shad colors)
  • topwater early
  • Storage 285,131 acre-ft (109% of normal)
  • Inflow ~237 cfs (Nacimiento River)

Fish early morning or night — mid-day heat pushes fish deep!

Marine forecast

seaswindas written in the report

  1. Today (Tue)lighter
    seas
    4–5 ft
    wind
    NW 5–10 kt

    Great conditions!

  2. Wednesdaylighter
    seas
    4–5 ft
    wind
    NW 5–10 kt

    Similar conditions

  3. Thursdaylighter
    seas
    3–5 ft
    wind
    VARIABLE 5–10 kt

    Improving

  4. Fridaylighter
    seas
    4–6 ft
    wind
    NW 10–15 kt

    Slight increase

Full report3 min read ›

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for July 21st, 2026.

📊 Lake Levels Update (Current Data)

LakeLevel% CapacityTrend
Lake Nacimiento760.40 ft MSL~50%Stable (+0.03 ft)
Lopez LakeNormal ops~83%Stable
Santa Margarita LakeFull~101%Excellent
San Antonio LakeNormal ops~56%Stable
Whale Rock ReservoirNormal ops~87%Healthy

Note: Lake Nacimiento showing slight rise (+0.03 ft), holding at 285,131 acre-ft (109% of normal). Santa Margarita Lake exceeding capacity with minor overflow. Lopez Lake remains strong at 83%.

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento 🌟

  • Water Level: 760.40 ft MSL (+0.03 ft from yesterday)
  • Storage: 285,131 acre-ft (109% of normal)
  • Temp: ~72-76°F (summer mode)
  • Inflow: ~237 cfs (Nacimiento River)
  • White Bass: ✅ GOOD — early morning shallow bite, then deep
  • Spotted Bass: Good on main lake points, schooling on shad
  • Best Lures: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits (shad colors), topwater early
  • Catfish: ✅ EXCELLENT! Big cats stacking in 20-30 ft
  • Tip: Fish early morning or night — mid-day heat pushes fish deep!

Santa Margarita Lake

  • Status: Exceeding full capacity (~101%)
  • Temp: Mid-60s to low 70s
  • Largemouth Bass: ✅ GOOD — fish on deep structure, schooling at dusk
  • Trout: Stocked regularly, good action
  • Best Baits: Deep-diving crankbaits, drop-shots, Texas rigs
  • Crappie: Good on deep brush in 20-30 ft
  • Tip: Best water access currently - lake is full!

Lopez Lake

  • Status: Normal operations (~83% capacity)
  • Temp: Warming into low 70s
  • Bass: Good — deep crankbaits and drop-shots working
  • Panfish: Bluegill and crappie near marina structure
  • Panfish: Catfish excellent in deep water
  • Tip: Fish the deep pockets and creek channels

San Antonio Lake

  • Status: ~56% capacity
  • Temp: Mid-70s
  • Bass: Good — early morning topwater, then deep structure
  • Catfish: Good in 15-25 ft
  • Tip: Launch ramps may have limited access due to lower water

🌊 Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

Current Conditions (NOAA/NDBC Buoy 46011 - Pt. Conception)

  • Wind: NW 5-12 kt (light-moderate)
  • Wave Height: 4-5 ft (1.4-1.5 m) at buoy
  • Water Temp: 61-62°F (16.3-16.4°C)
  • Visibility: Good
  • Swell Period: 8-10 seconds
  • Swell Direction: S/SW (178-190°)

This Week's Outlook

Today (Tue): NW 5-10 kt, Seas 4-5 ft — Great conditions! Wednesday: NW 5-10 kt, Seas 4-5 ft — Similar conditions Thursday: Variable 5-10 kt, Seas 3-5 ft — Improving Friday: NW 10-15 kt, Seas 4-6 ft — Slight increase

Fishing Report

Ocean conditions are excellent for fishing this week:

  • 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!
  • Salmon: Closed - prepare for fall season

Current Bait Report:

  • 🐟 Mackerel active in the bay
  • 🐟 Sardines showing up — great for trolling!
  • 🐟 Squid — consistent performer

Best Ocean Lures Right Now:

  • 7" Squid strips
  • 5" Swimbaits (anchovy/sardine colors)
  • Deep-diving crankbaits for trolling

💡 Pro Tip: This week's calm conditions are ideal for both boat fishing and shore fishing at Morro Rock!

🌙 Solunar Times (July 21-24)

DateMajor 1Minor 1Major 2Minor 2
Tue 216:15 AM12:15 PM6:45 PM12:30 AM
Wed 227:00 AM1:00 PM7:30 PM1:15 AM
Thu 237:45 AM1:45 PM8:15 PM2:00 AM
Fri 248:30 AM2:30 PM9:00 PM2:45 AM

Major periods: 2 hours around sunrise/sunset Minor periods: 1 hour halfway between majors Best fishing: Early morning (6-8 AM) and evening (6:30-8:30 PM) windows

📅 What to Expect This Week

  • Tuesday-Wednesday: Excellent ocean conditions, calm seas
  • Thursday-Friday: Slight wind increase but still fishable
  • Bass fishing transitions to early morning/evening patterns
  • Catfish action peaks at Lake Nacimiento
  • Summer pattern in full swing - focus on deep water during mid-day

🎣 Get Your Gear Ready

Check our Fishing Guide for species info and regulations.

⚠️ Safety Note: Always check latest conditions before heading out. Water temperatures rising - stay hydrated and use sun protection!

Tight lines, Central Coast! 🎣

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