SLO County Fishing Report — August 22, 2026
Saturdaygauge 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
Good5–6 ft
Fish early; NW wind builds to 15-25 kt this afternoon under a small craft advisory; seas 4-6 ft
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass still excellent on topwater early and late
Lopez Lake
GoodBass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair and deep in the heat; crappie and cats at dusk
Tides for the day
| 1:46 AM low | 0.5 ft |
|---|---|
| 9:11 AM high | 3.6 ft |
| 12:34 PM low | 3.3 ft |
| 6:46 PM high | 5.1 ft |
- range
- 4.6 ft
- sunrise
- 6:28 AM
- sunset
- 7:44 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day 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 at dawn and dusk
- White bass Active near shad schools
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Light tackle gets more bites. Crawdad patterns work midday.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
easing to 10-15 kt after midnight
- Sunday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
- Monday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–20 kt
NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft by afternoon (3-4 ft early)
Full report2 min read ›
Saturday brings a fresh NW wind and moderate seas, with the wind building after lunch. Morning water at the Diablo Canyon buoy is 58-62°F (NDBC 46215, Diablo Canyon, morning), and the rockfish and lingcod bite is excellent. Go early.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great
Bass fishing is still excellent. The fish eat all day in water this warm, and topwater is best at first and last light.
- Largemouth bass: Great on topwater at dawn and dusk
- White bass: Active near shad schools
- Crappie: Good near submerged structure
Tips: Light tackle gets more bites. Crawdad patterns work midday.
Lopez Lake
Status: Good
- Bass: Solid. Shad raps, Zoom worms and crawdad patterns all catch fish in the shallow pockets and coves near structure.
Tips: The bass are chasing shad. Throw small swimbaits or spinnerbaits.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
- Bass: Fair, and deep during the midday heat
- Crappie and catfish: Better at dawn and dusk near submerged timber; cut bait for cats after dark
Lake San Antonio
Status: Good
- Bass: Excellent. The high water has flooded new structure, and the lake sees fewer boats than Nacimiento.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Great Conditions: Fresh NW winds, moderate swell Water Temp: 62-64°F (NOAA 9412110, Port San Luis, morning) Wave Height: 5-6 ft (1.7-1.9m)
It is comfortable in the morning; the wind picks up this afternoon.
Buoy 46011 (Santa Maria):
-
Wind: NW (330°) at 9-10 m/s (~20-22 mph)
-
Gusts: Up to 12 m/s (~27 mph)
-
Wave Height: ~5.5-6.2 ft (1.7-1.9m) at 7 seconds
-
Dominant Wave Period: 7-8 seconds
-
Water Temp: 61.5-62°F (16.4-16.6°C)
-
Air Temp: 61-62°F (16-17°C)
-
Pressure: 1015.5 hPa (steady)
-
Rockfish: Vermilion and blues among them
-
Lingcod: Strong
-
Halibut: Good prospects along the beaches
Salmon Season: Open.
Morro Bay Landing (Aug 21): Starfire, 3/4 day, 14 anglers: 70 rockfish, 30 bocaccio, 28 red rockfish, 12 copper rockfish, 6 lingcod. Patriot Sportfishing (Aug 21): Flying Fish, half day, 23 anglers: 211 rockcod, 11 bocaccio, 6 red rockcod, 2 copper rockfish. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Aug 21.
Tips: Take heavy tackle for the lings, and plan to be in before the afternoon wind.
Marine Forecast
Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning, seas 4-6 ft Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-15 kt after midnight, seas 5-7 ft Sunday: NW 10-20 kt, seas 4-6 ft Monday: NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft by afternoon (3-4 ft early)
Small craft advisory in effect from noon today through late tonight.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 252 AM PDT Sat Aug 22 2026.