SLO County Fishing Report — August 4, 2026
Tuesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Good5–7 ft
Great; light winds, swell declining; seas 3-5 ft in the forecast
Lake Nacimiento
Good757.3 ft46% capacity
Bass fishing is excellent
Lopez Lake
Good512.7 ft83% capacity
Bass 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 | Lopez | Santa Margarita | San Antonio | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | notedlargemouth · white | good | fair | excellent | not reported |
| Catfish | not reported | not reported | notedcrappie and | not reported | not reported |
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | noted |
| Lingcod | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | excellent |
| Halibut | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | good |
| Salmon | not reported | not reported | not reported | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the report- Water Level 757.34 ft, 176,937 AF (46% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 4. Down 1.67 ft from last week.
- Largemouth bass Great on topwater lures at dawn/dusk
- White bass Active near shad schools
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Todaylighter
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
becoming light
- Wednesdaylighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds
- Wednesday nightlighter
- seas
- 3 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
Full report2 min read ›
After a week of bigger swell, the ocean is settling down under light wind and morning fog. Nacimiento dropped 1.67 ft in a week but the bass have not noticed.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 757.34 ft, 176,937 AF (46% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 4. Down 1.67 ft from last week.
Bass are excellent. The warm water keeps them feeding all day, and topwater is best at first and last light.
What's Biting:
- Largemouth bass: Great on topwater lures at dawn/dusk
- White bass: Active near shad schools
- Crappie: Good near submerged structure
Lopez Lake
Status: Good Water Level: 512.69 ft, 40,778 AF (83% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Aug 4.
Bass: Solid on shad raps, Zoom worms and crawdad patterns, mostly from shallow pockets and coves near structure.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
- Bass: Fair, holding deep in the midday heat
- Crappie and catfish: Picking up at dawn and dusk near submerged timber
Lake San Antonio
Status: Good
Water Level: 744.31 ft, 175,826 AF (53% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Aug 4.
Bass: Excellent.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Great Conditions: Light winds, moderate swell declining Water Temp: 59-60°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) Wave Height: 5-7 ft (declining)
Rockfish season is still producing.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW (310-340°) at 2-4 m/s (~4-9 mph)
- Wave Height: ~6.5 ft (2.0m)
- Water Temp: 59.7°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria)
- Air Temp: 55-57°F (13-14°C)
- Pressure: 1010.7-1011.1 hPa (steady)
Marine forecast:
Today: W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds, seas 3-5 ft
Tonight: NW 5-10 kt, becoming light, seas 3-4 ft
Wednesday: W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds, seas 3-4 ft
Wednesday night: NW 5-10 kt, seas 3 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 203 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026.
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Multiple species including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod: Strong action
- Halibut: Good prospects along the beaches
Morro Bay Landing (Aug 3): Endeavor, 1/2 day, 23 anglers: 180 rockfish, 12 copper rockfish, 11 lingcod, 8 red rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 3): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 24 anglers: 213 rockcod, 13 red rockcod, 8 copper rockfish, 6 bocaccio.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 3.
Salmon Season: Currently open.
Extended Forecast
Thursday and Friday stay light in the forecast, with seas of 2-4 ft. Fish the mornings, before the afternoon wind.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; NWS zone PZZ645; lake levels from CDEC (NCM, LOP, ATN); counts from SportfishingReport.com.