SLO County Fishing Report — July 24, 2026

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for July 24th, 2026.

🌤️ Conditions Overview

Gale Warning in effect today! Strong northwest winds continue across the coastal waters. A long period southerly swell from Hurricane Fausto will arrive tonight and persist into next week. Lakes remain in good shape for summer fishing, though warm afternoon temperatures are pushing fish deeper during midday.

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🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: 🟢 Great Water Level: ~758 ft MSL (~82% capacity, stable) Water Temp: 70-74°F

Bass fishing remains excellent at Nacimiento! The warm summer water has fish active throughout the day, with early morning topwater action heating up. With water temps in the low 70s, fish are feeding heavily.

What's Biting:

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

Best Bets:

• Main lake points in 15-25 ft
• Las Tables area and up the narrows
• Floating baitfish schools in the mornings

Tips: Crawdad patterns are working well midday. Watch for floating debris and grass. Light tackle will yield more bites!

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Lopez Lake

Status: 🟢 Good Water Level: ~520 ft MSL (~68% capacity)
Water Temp: 67-72°F

Bass fishing is solid at Lopez! Good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns. Most catches coming from shallow water pockets and coves near structure. Water level is stable.

Best Bets:

• Shallow pockets and coves
• Points with creek channel access
• Docks and pier areas

Tips: Fish are feeding heavily on shad. Try small swimbaits and spinnerbaits!

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Santa Margarita Lake

Status: 🟡 Fair Water Temp: 66-70°F

Bass are holding deep during midday heat. Crappie and catfish picking up at dusk and dawn near submerged timber. Morning trips are most productive.

Best Bets:

• Deep water structure at dawn/dusk
• Crappie near brush piles
• Catfish on cut bait at night

Tips: Focus on early morning hours when water is coolest.

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San Antonio Lake

Status: 🟡 Fair Water Level: ~62% capacity Water Temp: 68-72°F

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.

Best Bets:

• Marina area for shore fishing
• Creek mouths at dawn/dusk
• Deep water docks

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🌊 Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Status: 🟡 Caution - Gale Warning Conditions: Gale force winds today, swell building Water Temp: 59-61°F (buoy 46011) Wave Height: 5-7 ft

⚠️ Gale Warning in effect through this evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning for waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas. NW winds of 20-25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots are expected today.

Current Ocean Data (NOAA NWS - Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas):

• Wind: NW 20-25 knots, gusts to 35 knots
• Wave Height: 5-7 ft, NW swell at 7 seconds
• Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds, S 2 ft at 12-13 seconds
• Visibility: Good
• Water Temp: 59-61°F (NDBC Buoy 46011 at 61.3°F)
• Air Temp: 60°F
• Pressure: 29.91 in (stable)

⚠️ Hurricane Fausto Swell: Long period southerly swell from Hurricane Fausto will arrive tonight and persist into next week, potentially building wave heights to 8-9 ft by early next week.

What's Biting:

• 🐟 Rockfish - Still providing good action when conditions allow
• 🐡 Lingcod - Strong action on calmer days
• 🦈 Halibut - Good prospects along the beaches on calmer days

Salmon Season: Currently open! Some boats reporting success when conditions allow.

Best Bets:

• Wait for conditions to improve - Gale warning means dangerous conditions
• Bottom fishing over rocky structure (60-150 ft) when winds subside
• Cayucos Pier for shore fishing (check conditions before heading out)

Tips: DO NOT head out today! Wait until winds subside this evening or tomorrow morning. The incoming swell from Hurricane Fausto will build wave heights significantly—check conditions before any ocean trip this weekend.

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🌊 Tide Schedule - Morro Bay / Port San Luis (July 24)

Note: Tide data based on NOAA predictions at Port San Luis (Station 9412110)

Time	Tide	Height
12:48 AM	Low	0.55 ft
7:12 AM	High	3.04 ft
1:06 PM	Low	2.66 ft
7:36 PM	High	3.26 ft

Best Tide: High tide around 7:36 PM is ideal for evening rockfish trips. The morning high tide around 7:12 AM is perfect for early starts—but check conditions before heading out!

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🌙 Solunar Forecast - July 24

Period	Time	Activity
Major	12:48 AM - 2:48 AM	🟡 Good
Minor	7:12 AM - 9:12 AM	🟢 Prime
Major	1:06 PM - 3:06 PM	🟡 Good
Minor	7:36 PM - 9:36 PM	🟢 Prime

Best Times: Early morning (7-9 AM) and evening (7-9 PM) for best fishing! Note that ocean conditions may limit access to these times today.

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📅 Extended Forecast

Friday: Gale warning continues AM, NW 15-20 kt - Check conditions Saturday: NW 15-20 kt, seas 5-7 ft - Exercise caution Sunday: NW 15-20 kt, swell building - Rough conditions expected Monday-Tuesday: Swell from Hurricane Fausto arrives, seas 6-9 ft - Poor conditions

Note: Long period southerly swell from Hurricane Fausto will significantly impact conditions through early next week. Ocean fishing will be challenging.

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🎣 Gear Recommendations

Lake:

• Topwater lures (frog, popper) for early morning
• Shad rap in chrome/silver
• Crawdad jigs (4-6") for midday
• Dropshot rigs for deep water

Ocean:

• Wait for conditions to improve - heavy weather gear required
• Rockfish leader (20-30 lb)
• Lingcod tackle (40-60 lb)
• Fresh bait (sardines, anchovies)
• Surf gear for pier fishing (check first!)

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📬 Stay Connected

Got a hot report? Send your photos and tips to tips@calcoasttides.com — we love featuring local catches!

Stay safe out there—the ocean is showing its teeth this weekend! 🎣

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Report generated for SLO County waters. Always check CDFW regulations before heading out. Ocean data courtesy of NOAA NWS Marine Forecast (FZUS56 KMTR) and NOAA NDBC Buoy 46011. Lake data estimated from seasonal averages and recent trends.