SLO County Fishing Report — July 27, 2026
Mondaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121102 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Rough7–8 ftwater 60.8°F
Rough Conditions; Strong winds, elevated swell; waves 7-8 ft
Lake Nacimiento
Good759.2 ft48% capacity
Bass fishing is excellent
Lopez Lake
GoodBass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair but holding deep during midday heat
NOAA tide predictions for this day aren't available right now. See the Port San Luis / Morro Bay tide calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported |
By water
from the report- Water Level 759.24 ft, 184,027 AF (48% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 27.
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Crawdad patterns work at midday.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon
- Tonight
- seas
- 7–9 ft
- wind
- NW 20–30 kt
becoming 10-20 kt after midnight
- Tuesday
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon
- Tuesday night
- seas
- 7–10 ft
- wind
- NW 20–30 kt
becoming 10-20 kt after midnight
Full report2 min read ›
Northwest wind at 25-31 mph and 7-8 ft seas close the ocean to small boats today, and a small craft advisory is in effect. Fish the lakes instead.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 759.24 ft, 184,027 AF (48% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 27.
Bass fishing is excellent. The fish are active all day, and the topwater bite is best early morning and late evening.
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: Healthy for summer
Bass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns. The fish are feeding on shad in the shallow pockets and coves.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Bass are fair and hold deep in the midday heat. Crappie and catfish bite at dawn and dusk near the submerged timber.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Black Pearl Sportfishing (Jul 26): Black Pearl, 12 hour, 31 anglers: 178 rockfish (up to 6 pounds), 28 lingcod (up to 22 pounds), 28 vermilion rockfish (up to 9 pounds).
Morro Bay Landing (Jul 26): Endeavor, full day, 30 anglers: 180 rockfish, 60 bocaccio (up to 11 pounds), 60 red rockfish, 2 lingcod.
Patriot Sportfishing (Jul 26): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 19 anglers: 189 rockcod, 1 bocaccio, 1 lingcod (up to 6 pounds).
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Jul 26.
Status: Rough Conditions Small Craft Advisory
Conditions: Strong winds, elevated swell Water Temp: 60.8°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) Wave Height: 7-8 ft (2.3m)
Small boats should stay in today. The NW wind and swell make the open ocean dangerous.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW (320°) at 25-31 mph (11-14 m/s)
- Gusts: Up to 32 mph
- Wave Height: ~7.5 ft (2.3m)
- Water Temp: 60.8°F (16.0°C)
- Air Temp: 59°F (15°C)
- Pressure: 1015 hPa (steady)
Expected Improvement: The wind eases a little on Wednesday and Thursday, to NW 10-20 kt, but seas stay at 5-8 ft.
Marine Forecast
Small craft advisory in effect through late tonight.
Today: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 6-8 ft
Tonight: NW 20-30 kt, becoming 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 7-9 ft
Tuesday: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 6-8 ft
Tuesday night: NW 20-30 kt, becoming 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 7-10 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 342 AM PDT Mon Jul 27 2026.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; NWS zone PZZ645; lake levels from CDEC (NCM).