SLO County Fishing Report — August 16, 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
Good3–5 ftNW 5–10 kt
Great; Light NW winds, moderate swell; waves 3-5 ft
Lake Nacimiento
Good754.4 ft44% 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 |
| Salmon | not reported | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the report- Water Level 754.44 ft, 166,474 AF (44% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 16.
- 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
- NW 5–10 kt
becoming 10-20 kt in the afternoon
- Tonight
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
- Monday
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon
- Monday night
- seas
- 5–6 ft
- wind
- NW 20–25 kt
becoming 15-20 kt after midnight
Full report2 min read ›
If you want an ocean day, take today or tomorrow. The northwest wind is mild and the seas are 3-5 ft, but the wind picks up late Monday and seas reach 7-8 ft by Wednesday.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 754.44 ft, 166,474 AF (44% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Aug 16.
Bass are still excellent, on topwater 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
Status: Great Conditions: Light NW winds, moderate swell Water Temp: 60-67°F (NDBC 46215, Diablo Canyon, morning) Wave Height: 3-5 ft
Rockfish season is still producing.
Current Ocean Data (NOAA Marine Forecast + Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW 5-10 knots, rising to 10-20 knots this afternoon
- Wave Height: 3-5 ft (1.0-1.3m)
- Swell Period: ~16 seconds from SSW
- Water Temp: 66°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
- Air Temp: ~61°F (16°C)
- Pressure: ~1017 hPa (steady)
Outlook: Winds increase to fresh/strong late Monday and remain elevated through the week. Seas build to 7-8 ft by Wednesday.
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Multiple species including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod: Strong action
- Halibut: Good prospects along the beaches
Morro Bay Landing (Aug 15): Endeavor, full day, 30 anglers: 180 rockfish, 60 bocaccio, 45 red rockfish, 15 copper rockfish.
Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 15): Patriot, 1/2 day, 23 anglers: 196 blue rockfish, 19 rockcod, 14 bocaccio, 3 lingcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 15.
Salmon Season: Currently open.
Tips: Go before the wind picks up Tuesday.
Extended Forecast
Today: NW 5-10 kt, becoming 10-20 kt in the afternoon, seas 3-4 ft
Tonight: NW 10-20 kt, seas 4-5 ft
Monday: NW 10-20 kt, becoming 15-25 kt in the afternoon, seas 4-5 ft
Monday night: NW 20-25 kt, becoming 15-20 kt after midnight, seas 5-6 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 108 AM PDT Sun Aug 16 2026.
Tuesday and Wednesday stay at NW 10-25 kt with 5-7 ft seas, and Wednesday night builds to NW 20-30 kt and 6-8 ft.
Sources: NDBC buoys 46011 and 46215; NWS zone PZZ645; lake level from CDEC (NCM); counts from SportfishingReport.com.