SLO County Fishing Report — July 23, 2026

A small craft advisory starts at noon today, with NW 20-30 kt and seas building to 6-9 ft, so ocean anglers should be out early if they go at all. The lakes are steady, and Nacimiento is at 759.98 ft (CDEC NCM).

---

Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: Great Water Level: 759.98 ft, 186,873 AF (49% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 23.

Bass fishing is still excellent at Nacimiento. The fish are active all day in the warm water, and the early morning topwater bite is getting better.

What's Biting:

• Largemouth bass - Great on topwater lures at dawn/dusk
• White bass - Active near shad schools
• Crappie: Good. Near submerged structure

Tips: Crawdad patterns work at midday.

---

Lopez Lake

Status: Good Water Level: 513.21 ft, 41,205 AF (83% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Jul 23.

Bass fishing is solid at Lopez, with good action on shad rap, zoom worms and crawdad patterns. Most fish come from shallow pockets and coves, where they are feeding on shad.

---

Santa Margarita Lake

Status: Fair

Bass are holding deep during midday heat. Crappie and catfish bite at dawn and dusk near the submerged timber.

---

San Antonio Lake

Status: Fair Water Level: 745.86 ft, 181,298 AF (55% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Jul 23.

Bass fishing is fair. Fish are deep during the day and moving shallow at dawn/dusk. Bluegill and catfish providing good action for shore anglers.

---

Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Status: Great Conditions: Small craft advisory from noon today through late Friday night Water Temp: 58-60°F (NDBC 46215, Diablo Canyon, morning) Wave Height: 5-7 ft, building to 6-9 ft

Bottom fishing is best in the morning, before the advisory starts.

Marine forecast:

Today: NW 20-30 kt, becoming 25-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 5-7 ft, building to 6-9 ft

Tonight: NW 20-30 kt, seas 7-10 ft

Friday: NW 20-30 kt, becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon, seas 6-8 ft

Friday night: NW 15-25 kt, becoming 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 6-9 ft

NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 209 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026.

What's Biting:

• Rockfish - Multiple species including vermilion and blue
• Lingcod - Strong action
• Halibut - Good prospects along the beaches and from pier

Morro Bay Landing (Jul 22): Endeavor, 1/2 day, 17 anglers: 180 rockfish, 3 lingcod, 3 red rockfish, 1 copper rockfish.

Patriot Sportfishing (Jul 22): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 18 anglers: 176 rockcod, 2 red rockcod, 1 bocaccio, 1 copper rockfish.

Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Jul 22.

Salmon Season: Currently open.

Tips: Get out early, before the wind picks up.

---

Extended Forecast

The weekend stays windy, with NW 10-30 kt and seas of 5-9 ft. Check conditions before heading out.

Note: Long period southerly swell from Hurricane Fausto may reach the coast this weekend, potentially increasing wave heights.