SLO County Fishing Report — July 25, 2026

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for July 25th, 2026.

🌤️ Conditions Overview

Small Craft Advisory continues today with NW winds 10-15 knots. Long period southerly swell from distant tropical cyclones persists through the weekend, keeping ocean conditions choppy. Lakes remain in great shape for summer fishing with warm water temps driving active fish.

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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! Warm summer water has fish active throughout the day. Early morning topwater action is heating up, and crawdad patterns are working well midday.

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!

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Lopez Lake

Status: 🟢 Good Water Level: ~520 ft MSL (~68% capacity, stable)
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.

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 - Small Craft Advisory Conditions: NW winds 10-15 knots, seas 5-7 ft Water Temp: 61°F (buoy 46011) Wave Height: 5-7 ft

Small Craft Advisory continues through this afternoon. The National Weather Service advises caution for small vessels. Long period southerly swell from distant tropical cyclones will persist through the weekend.

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

• Wind: NW 10-15 knots, seas around 5 ft
• Wave Height: 5-7 ft, NW swell at 7 seconds
• Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 7 seconds, S 3 ft at 15 seconds
• Visibility: Good
• Water Temp: 61°F (NDBC Buoy 46011)
• Air Temp: 60°F
• Pressure: 1012.8 hPa (stable)

⚠️ Long Period Swell: Long period southerly swell from tropical cyclones continues through at least mid-week. Wave heights of 8-9 ft possible by Wednesday.

What's Biting:

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

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

Best Bets:

• Bottom fishing over rocky structure (60-150 ft) - check conditions
• Cayucos Pier for shore fishing
• Wait for winds to ease for best results

Tips: Small craft advisory means caution required. Check conditions before heading out. The incoming long period swell will build wave heights significantly through the weekend.

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🌊 Tide Schedule - Morro Bay / Port San Luis (July 25)

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

Time	Tide	Height
1:24 AM	Low	0.44 ft
7:54 AM	High	3.18 ft
1:42 PM	Low	2.51 ft
8:18 PM	High	3.43 ft

Best Tide: High tide around 8:18 PM is ideal for evening rockfish trips. The morning high tide around 7:54 AM is perfect for early starts!

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🌙 Solunar Forecast - July 25

Period	Time	Activity
Major	1:24 AM - 3:24 AM	🟡 Good
Minor	7:54 AM - 9:54 AM	🟢 Prime
Major	1:42 PM - 3:42 PM	🟡 Good
Minor	8:18 PM - 10:18 PM	🟢 Prime

Best Times: Early morning (7:54-9:54 AM) and evening (8:18-10:18 PM) for best fishing!

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📅 Extended Forecast

Saturday: NW 10-15 kt, seas 5-7 ft - Caution advised Sunday: NW 15-20 kt, seas 4-5 ft - Small craft advisory possible Monday: NW 15-20 kt, seas 5-6 ft - Rough conditions Tuesday-Wednesday: Swell building, seas 6-9 ft - Poor conditions expected

Note: Long period southerly swell will significantly impact conditions through early next week. Ocean fishing will be challenging on larger days.

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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:

• Small craft advisory - use caution
• Rockfish leader (20-30 lb)
• Lingcod tackle (40-60 lb)
• Fresh bait (sardines, anchovies)
• Surf gear for pier fishing

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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 and tight lines! 🎣

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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.