Journal • SLO County Fishing Report — July 28, 2026

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SLO County Fishing Report — July 28, 2026

Tuesdaygauge 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

    Rough

    6–9 ft

    Rough; NW 10-25 kt, seas 6-9 ft

  • Lake Nacimiento

    Good

    759.0 ft48% capacity

    Bass fishing remains excellent

  • Lopez Lake

    Good

    Bass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns

  • Santa Margarita Lake

    Fair

    Bass 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

SpeciesNacimientoMorro Bay
Crappie / panfishgoodnot reported
Rockfishnot reportednoted
Lingcodnot reportedexcellent
Halibutnot reportedgood

By water

from the report
Water
  • Water Level 759.01 ft, 183,151 AF (48% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 28. Down 0.23 ft from yesterday.
What's biting
  • Crappie good Near submerged structure
Lures & bait

None listed.

  • Status Great

Crawdad patterns work at midday.

Marine forecast

seaswindas written in the report

  1. Today
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt

    becoming 20-25 kt in the afternoon

  2. Tonight
    seas
    7–9 ft
    wind
    NW 15–25 kt

    becoming 10-20 kt after midnight

  3. Wednesday
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt

    becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon

  4. Wednesday night
    seas
    6–9 ft
    wind
    NW 15–25 kt

    becoming 10-20 kt after midnight

Full report2 min read ›

Seas are 6-9 ft, and the NW wind builds to 20-25 kt this afternoon, so today is a lake day. The lakes are stable and warm. For the ocean, wait for the wind to ease later in the week.

Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: Great Water Level: 759.01 ft, 183,151 AF (48% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 28. Down 0.23 ft from yesterday.

Bass fishing is still excellent. The warm water keeps fish moving all day, and the topwater bite is best early and late.

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: 512.99 ft, 41,024 AF (83% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Jul 28. Falling.

Bass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns. Most fish come from shallow pockets and coves. The water level is dropping slowly.

Tips: The bass are feeding on shad.

Santa Margarita Lake

No new report from Santa Margarita Lake since Jul 27.

Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Black Pearl Sportfishing (Jul 27): Black Pearl, 6 hour, 26 anglers: 108 rockfish (up to 6 pounds), 2 lingcod (up to 15 pounds).

Morro Bay Landing (Jul 27): Endeavor, 1/2 day, 18 anglers: 125 rockfish, 6 copper rockfish, 4 lingcod (up to 13 pounds), 2 bocaccio.

Patriot Sportfishing (Jul 27): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 16 anglers: 155 rockcod, 4 copper rockfish, 3 lingcod (up to 12 pounds), 1 red rockcod.

Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Jul 27.

Status: Rough Conditions Conditions: The small craft advisory ended at 3 AM; NW 10-25 kt today Water Temp: 60-61°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) Wave Height: 6-9 ft (2.1m)

The small craft advisory ended at 3 AM, but the NW wind builds to 20-25 kt this afternoon and seas are 6-8 ft, building to 7-9 ft tonight.

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):

  • Wind: NW (320°) at 11-14 m/s (~25-31 mph)
  • Wave Height: ~6.9 ft (2.1m)
  • Water Temp: 60.1°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria)
  • Air Temp: 59.2°F (15.1°C)
  • Pressure: 1012.8 hPa (falling)

What's Biting (when conditions improve):

  • Rockfish - Expected to be excellent when seas calm
  • Lingcod - Strong action when conditions allow
  • Halibut - Good prospects along the beaches

Tips: Stay off the ocean today and Wednesday. Thursday's forecast, NW 10-20 kt with 5-7 ft seas, is the best of the week so far.

Marine Forecast

Today: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 20-25 kt in the afternoon, seas 6-8 ft

Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, becoming 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 7-9 ft

Wednesday: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon, seas 6-8 ft

Wednesday 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 203 AM PDT Tue Jul 28 2026.

Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; NWS zone PZZ645; lake levels from CDEC (NCM, LOP).

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