Journal • SLO County Fishing Report — August 1, 2026

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SLO County Fishing Report — August 1, 2026

Saturdaygauge 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

    5–8 ftwater 59.0°F

    Small craft advisory this afternoon and tonight; seas 5-8 ft

  • Lake Nacimiento

    Good

    758.1 ft47% capacity

    Bass fishing remains excellent

  • Lopez Lake

    Fair

    Lake levels are dropping but still healthy for summer fishing

  • 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 reportedgood
Lingcodnot reportedexcellent
Halibutnot reportedgood

By water

from the report
Water
  • Water Level 758.07 ft, 179,611 AF (47% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 1. Down 0.23 ft from yesterday.
What's biting
  • Crappie good Near submerged structure
Lures & bait

None listed.

  • Status Great

Early morning topwater action is hot right now.

Marine forecast

seaswindas written in the report

  1. Today
    seas
    5–7 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt

    becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon

  2. Tonight
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 15–25 kt

    becoming 10-20 kt after midnight

  3. Sunday
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt
  4. Sunday night
    seas
    5–7 ft
    wind
    NW 10–20 kt

    becoming 5-10 kt after midnight

Full report2 min read ›

A small craft advisory starts this afternoon. The Santa Maria buoy reads 8.5 ft seas with NNW wind at 17.5 kt, and the forecast has 6-8 ft seas into Sunday. The lakes are the safer option this weekend.

Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: Great Water Level: 758.07 ft, 179,611 AF (47% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 1. Down 0.23 ft from yesterday.

Bass fishing is still excellent. The lake is at a healthy summer level, and the water is warm enough to keep fish active.

What's Biting:

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

Tips: Early morning topwater action is hot right now.

Lopez Lake

Status: Fair/Good Water Level: 512.82 ft, 40,885 AF (83% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Aug 1. 7-Day Trend: Falling (-0.31 ft over last 7 days)

Lake levels are dropping but still healthy for summer fishing. Bass are holding in deeper water during the heat of day.

Tips: Go early, before the wind picks up.

Santa Margarita Lake

Status: Fair

San Antonio Lake

Status: Fair Notes: Lake levels have been declining through summer. Bass fishing remains fair with fish holding in deeper water.

Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Black Pearl Sportfishing (Jul 31): Black Pearl, 6 hour, 37 anglers: 237 rockfish (up to 4 pounds), 1 lingcod (up to 8 pounds).

Morro Bay Landing (Jul 31): Endeavor, 1/2 day, 31 anglers: 280 rockfish, 19 copper rockfish, 10 bocaccio, 3 lingcod.

Patriot Sportfishing (Jul 31): Patriot (Avila Beach), 3/4 day, 27 anglers: 180 rockcod, 2 lingcod.

Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Jul 31.

Status: Rough (small craft advisory this afternoon and tonight) Conditions: Strong winds, elevated seas Water Temp: 59.0°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) Wave Height: 5-8 ft (NWS forecast)

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):

  • Wind: NNW (330°) at 17.5 kts, gusts to 21.4 kts
  • Wave Height: ~8.5 ft
  • Water Temp: 59.0°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria)
  • Air Temp: 56.7°F (13.7°C)
  • Pressure: 29.97 in (steady)

Marine forecast:

Today: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon, seas 5-7 ft

Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, becoming 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 6-8 ft

Sunday: NW 10-20 kt, seas 6-8 ft

Sunday night: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 5-10 kt after midnight, seas 5-7 ft

NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 233 AM PDT Sat Aug 1 2026.

What's Biting (when conditions allow):

  • Rockfish - Good when seas calm (wait for Monday)
  • Lingcod - Strong action on calm days
  • Halibut - Good along beaches when conditions allow

Tips: If you do go out, early morning is the least rough.

Extended Forecast

Monday through Wednesday are forecast light, with seas dropping from 5-7 ft to 3-4 ft. Monday is the first good ocean day.

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

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