SLO County Fishing Report — August 9, 2026
Sundaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121103 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Fair3–5 ftwater 63°F
No advisory; light winds, seas 3-5 ft
Lake Nacimiento
Good756.1 ft45% capacity
Bass fishing remains 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 | Santa Margarita | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | notedlargemouth · white | fair | not reported |
| Catfish | not reported | notedcrappie and | not reported |
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | not reported | noted |
| Lingcod | not reported | not reported | excellent |
| Halibut | not reported | not reported | good |
By water
from the report- Water Level 756.14 ft, 172,626 AF (45% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 9.
- 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
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
becoming light
- Mondaylighter
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds
- Monday nightlighter
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
becoming light
Full report2 min read ›
The forecast for the Morro Bay coastal waters has light winds and 3-5 ft seas today and through Wednesday, with no advisory. The lakes are fishing well too, with warm water keeping the bass active.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 756.14 ft, 172,626 AF (45% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 9.
Bass are still excellent, and topwater works 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
Lopez Lake
Status: Good Water Level: Healthy for summer
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
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Morro Bay Landing (Aug 8): Avenger, 1/2 day, 31 anglers: 250 rockfish, 4 red rockfish, 3 ocean whitefish, 2 copper rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 8): Patriot (Avila Beach), 1/2 day, 30 anglers: 205 rockcod, 22 bocaccio, 5 red rockcod, 2 copper rockfish.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 8.
Status: Fair Conditions: No advisory; light winds Water Temp: 63°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) Wave Height: 3-5 ft (NWS forecast)
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW (310-340°) at 3-7 m/s (~7-16 mph), gusts up to 9 m/s
- Wave Height: 3.6-5 ft (1.1-1.5m), building
- Wave Period: 16 seconds (long period southerly swell)
- Water Temp: 63°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria)
- Air Temp: 59-61°F (15-16°C)
- Pressure: 1011.8 hPa (steady)
Marine forecast:
Today: W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds, seas 3-4 ft
Tonight: NW 5-10 kt, becoming light, seas 3-5 ft
Monday: W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds, seas 4-5 ft
Monday night: NW 5-10 kt, becoming light, seas 3-5 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 250 AM PDT Sun Aug 9 2026.
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Still producing when conditions allow
- Lingcod: Strong action on calmer days
- Halibut: Good along beaches when swell subsides
Tips: Tuesday and Wednesday stay light in the forecast, with 3-4 ft seas, and look excellent for ocean fishing.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; NWS zone PZZ645; lake level from CDEC (NCM).