SLO County Fishing Report — August 13, 2026

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for August 13th, 2026.

🌤️ Conditions Overview

Summer conditions persist with warm days, mild morning fog, and moderate northwest winds. A long period southerly swell is building and will arrive by Friday. Ocean conditions are currently good but will become more challenging over the weekend. Lakes remain at healthy levels for late-season fishing.

---

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: 🟢 Great Water Level: ~750 ft MSL (~45-48% capacity)* Water Temp: 68-72°F

Bass fishing is excellent! The warm water temperatures have fish active throughout the day, with early morning and late evening providing the best topwater action.

What's Biting:

• 🐟 Largemouth bass - Great on topwater lures at dawn/dusk
• 🐠 White bass - Active near shad schools
• 🦎 Crappie - Good near submerged structure

Best Bets:

• Main lake points in 15-25 ft
• Las Tables area and up the narrows
• Floating baitfish schools in the mornings

Tips: Use light tackle for more action. Crawdad patterns working well midday. Watch for floating debris and grass.

*Note: Lake level data temporarily unavailable from USGS. Values are estimated based on seasonal trends.

---

Lopez Lake

Status: 🟢 Good Water Level: ~120% of normal* Water Temp: 65-70°F

Bass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns. Most catches coming from shallow water pockets and coves near structure.

Best Bets:

• Shallow pockets and coves
• Points with creek channel access
• Docks and pier areas

Tips: Fish are feeding heavily on shad. Try small swimbaits and spinnerbaits!

---

Santa Margarita Lake

Status: 🟡 Fair Water Temp: 64-68°F

Bass fair but holding deep during midday heat. Crappie and catfish picking up at dusk and dawn near submerged timber.

Best Bets:

• Deep water structure at dawn/dusk
• Crappie near brush piles
• Catfish on cut bait at night

Tips: Focus on early morning hours when water is coolest.

---

Lake San Antonio

Status: 🟢 Good
Water Level: ~140% of normal* Water Temp: 66-70°F

Excellent bass fishing at this often-overlooked lake. The higher water levels have created new structure and access to previously dry areas.

Best Bets:

• Upper lake coves
• New shoreline vegetation
• Deep water channels

Tips: Great alternative to Nacimiento with less crowds!

---

🌊 Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Status: 🟡 Good (conditions changing) Conditions: NW winds 10-20 kt, seas 5-7 ft Water Temp: 58-60°F (14-15°C from Buoy 46011) Wave Height: 4-7 ft, building to 6-8 ft by Friday

Rockfish season continues to deliver! Charter boats are reporting limits with good lingcod action. However, conditions will change this weekend with a new long-period southerly swell arriving.

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Pt Conception):

• Wind: NW (310-340°) at 10-15 knots (~12-17 mph)
• Wave Height: 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8m)
• Wave Period: 8-10 seconds
• Water Temp: 58-60°F (14-15°C)
• Air Temp: 55-58°F (13-14°C)

NOAA Marine Forecast (Aug 13):

Fresh to strong northwest winds slacken to moderate to fresh today with rough seas becoming moderate by the evening. A long period southerly swell will gradually increase Thursday reaching 16 to 18 seconds (possibly higher at times) by Friday and continuing through the remainder of the weekend. Visibility may decrease due to haze and smoke nearby the Big Sur coastline due to the Timber fire.

What's Biting:

• 🐟 Rockfish - Full limits, multiple species including vermilion and blue
• 🐡 Lingcod - Strong action, fish to 8+ lbs reported
• 🦈 Halibut - Good prospects along the beaches and from pier

Salmon Season: Currently open! Some boats reporting success.

Charter Report - Morro Bay Landing:

"Good fishing on the rockfish grounds. Lingcod are thick this week. Conditions are comfortable but expect larger swell by the weekend."

Best Bets:

• Bottom fishing over rocky structure (60-150 ft) - go early AM
• Drift fishing along the drop-offs
• Cayucos Pier for halibut - morning hours best

Tips: Bring your heavy tackle for lingcod—they're thick and fight hard! Morning trips best for calm seas before winds pick up.

---

🌊 Tide Schedule - Morro Bay (August 13)

Note: Tide data based on NOAA predictions

Time	Tide
5:17 AM	Low
11:44 AM	High
5:52 PM	Low

Best Tide: High tide around noon is ideal for rockfish and lingcod. Low tide exposes structure for shore fishing.

---

🌙 Solunar Forecast - August 13

Period	Time	Activity
Major	5:17 AM - 7:17 AM	🟢 Prime
Minor	11:44 AM - 1:44 PM	🟡 Good
Major	5:52 PM - 7:52 PM	🟢 Prime

Best Times: Early morning (5-7 AM) and evening (5-8 PM) for best fishing!

---

📅 Extended Forecast

Thursday: Sunny, winds moderating - Excellent fishing conditions Friday: Building swell arrives - seas 6-8 ft, check conditions Saturday: Southerly swell 6-8 ft at 16 seconds - Rough ocean conditions Sunday: Swell continues - Best to stay in port or fish from shore

⚠️ Note: A long-period southerly swell (16-18 seconds) is expected to arrive Friday and persist through the weekend. This will create rough ocean conditions, especially for small craft.

---

🎣 Gear Recommendations

Lake:

• Topwater lures (frog, popper) for early morning
• Shad rap in chrome/silver
• Crawdad jigs (4-6") for midday
• Dropshot rigs for deep water

Ocean:

• Rockfish leader (20-30 lb)
• Lingcod tackle (40-60 lb)
• Fresh bait (sardines, anchovies)
• Surf gear for pier fishing

---

📬 Stay Connected

Got a hot report? Send your photos and tips to tips@calcoasttides.com — we love featuring local catches!

See you on the water! 🎣

---

Report generated for SLO County waters. Always check CDFW regulations before heading out. Ocean data courtesy of NOAA NDBC Buoy 46011 and NOAA Marine Forecast FZUS56 KMTR. Lake level data unavailable - seasonal estimates used.