SLO County Fishing Report — July 24, 2026
Fridaygauge San Simeon · NOAA 94125532 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Rough5–7 ft
Small craft advisory; NW 10-30 kt, seas 5-7 ft, Fausto swell due
Lake Nacimiento
Good760.0 ft49% capacity
Bass fishing remains excellent at Nacimiento
Lopez Lake
GoodBass fishing is solid at Lopez
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass are holding deep during midday heat
NOAA tide predictions for this day aren't available right now. See the San Simeon tide calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | noted |
| Lingcod | not reported | excellent |
| Halibut | not reported | good |
| Salmon | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the report- Water Level 759.98 ft, 186,873 AF (49% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 23.
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Crawdad patterns work at midday.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon
- Tonight
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
- Saturday
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon
- Saturday night
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 20–30 kt
becoming 15-25 kt after midnight
Full report2 min read ›
Stay off the ocean today. The forecast for the Morro Bay coastal waters has NW wind building to 20-30 kt this afternoon and a small craft advisory through late tonight, and a long-period swell from Hurricane Fausto arrives tonight and stays into next week. The lakes are the place to fish, though the afternoon heat pushes fish deeper at midday.
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. Fish are active and feeding heavily all day, and the early morning topwater bite is improving.
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 on shad rap, zoom worms and crawdad patterns. Most fish come from shallow pockets and coves, feeding on shad. The water level is stable.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Bass are holding deep during midday heat. Crappie and catfish bite at dawn and dusk near the submerged timber, and mornings are the most productive.
San Antonio Lake
No new report from San Antonio Lake since Jul 23.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Caution Conditions: Strong NW winds today, swell building Water Temp: 59-61°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) Wave Height: 5-7 ft
Marine forecast: Small craft advisory through late tonight.
Today: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 5-7 ft
Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, seas 6-8 ft
Saturday: NW 15-25 kt, becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 5-7 ft
Saturday night: NW 20-30 kt, becoming 15-25 kt after midnight, seas 6-8 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 207 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026.
Hurricane Fausto Swell: A long-period southerly swell from Hurricane Fausto arrives tonight and stays into next week. Waves could build 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
Morro Bay Landing (Jul 23): Avenger, 1/2 day, 33 anglers: 322 rockfish, 7 cabezon, 3 lingcod, 1 red rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Jul 23.
Salmon Season: Currently open.
Tips: Wait for the wind to drop tomorrow morning before you go out.
Extended Forecast
Sunday through Tuesday stay windy, with NW 15-30 kt and seas of 5-9 ft, and a long-period SW swell shows in the forecast from Sunday.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; NWS zone PZZ645; lake levels from CDEC (NCM, LOP); counts from SportfishingReport.com.