SLO County Fishing Report — August 13, 2026
Thursdaygauge 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
Fair3–4 ft
Light winds, seas 3-4 ft; a small long-period south swell from Friday
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass fishing is 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 |
| Salmon | not reported | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the reportNot reported.
- 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
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 5–10 kt
becoming light
- Fridaylighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds
- Friday nightlighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
Full report2 min read ›
The forecast for the Morro Bay coastal waters has light winds and 3-4 ft seas today and Friday. A small long-period south swell (3 ft at 15-17 seconds) shows up from Friday, and the NW wind picks up a little over the weekend, with seas of 3-5 ft.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great
Bass are excellent, with the best topwater bite 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
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
Bass: Excellent.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Good (conditions changing) Conditions: Light winds, seas 3-4 ft Water Temp: 61-67°F (NDBC 46215, Diablo Canyon, morning) Wave Height: 3-4 ft (NWS forecast)
Rockfish season is still producing. A small long-period south swell arrives Friday.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- 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: 66-67°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Air Temp: 55-58°F (13-14°C)
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 3-4 ft
Friday: W 5-10 kt in the afternoon after light morning winds, seas 3-4 ft
Friday night: NW 10-15 kt, seas 3-4 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 116 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026.
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Multiple species including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod: Strong action
- Halibut: Good.
Morro Bay Landing (Aug 12): Endeavor, 1/2 day, 8 anglers: 70 rockfish, 8 red rockfish, 3 lingcod, 2 copper rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 12): Flying Fish, 1/2 day, 15 anglers: 142 rockcod, 5 lingcod, 2 bocaccio, 2 cabezon (up to 6 pounds).
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 12.
Salmon Season: Currently open.
Tips: Go in the morning, before the wind picks up.
Extended Forecast
Saturday and Sunday have NW 5-20 kt, stronger in the afternoons, with 3-5 ft seas and the south swell under them. Fish the mornings.
Sources: NDBC buoys 46011 and 46215; NWS zone PZZ645; counts from SportfishingReport.com.