SLO County Fishing Report — August 23, 2026

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for August 23rd, 2026.

🌤️ Conditions Overview

Sunday brings improving conditions as northwesterly winds begin to ease after this morning's Small Craft Advisory. Ocean conditions will calm through the afternoon, making for a great day on the water. Late summer lake fishing remains excellent with warm water temperatures keeping fish active!

---

🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: 🟢 Great Water Level: ~750 ft MSL (~46% capacity, seasonal decline) Water Temp: 68-72°F

Bass fishing remains 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.

---

Lopez Lake

Status: 🟢 Good Water Level: ~125% of normal (~47,000 acre-ft) 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: ~145% of normal (~265,000 acre-ft) 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: 🟢 Great Conditions: NW winds easing, improving seas Water Temp: 63-64°F (17.1-17.3°C from Port San Luis) Wave Height: 5-7 ft (1.7-2.0m)

Rockfish season continues to deliver! Charter boats are reporting limits with good lingcod action. The conditions are improving from yesterday's advisory - a great day to get out on the water!

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Pt Conception):

• Wind: NW (330°) at 8-9 m/s (~18-20 mph)
• Gusts: Up to 10-11 m/s (~22-25 mph)
• Wave Height: ~5.5-6.5 ft (1.7-2.0m) at 7-8 seconds
• Dominant Wave Period: 7-8 seconds
• Water Temp: 62.5-63°F (17.1-17.3°C)
• Air Temp: 61-62°F (16.0-16.5°C)
• Pressure: 1012-1014 hPa (steady)

NOAA Marine Forecast: Fresh to strong northwesterly breezes will keep hazardous conditions for small craft in the outer waters through this morning. Northwesterly breezes will diminish this afternoon with hazardous conditions remaining confined to the northern outer waters through Monday morning. Slight to moderate seas will prevail.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY in effect through late morning - check conditions before heading out.

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

Salmon Season: Currently open! Some boats reporting success.

Charter Report - Morro Bay Landing:

"Great conditions today with the wind calming down. Rockfish limits and nice lingcod. Water is clean and fishing is steady."

Best Bets:

• Bottom fishing over rocky structure (60-150 ft)
• Drift fishing along the drop-offs
• Cayucos Pier for halibut

Tips: Morning trips will have the calmest seas before the afternoon wind pickup. Bring your heavy tackle for lingcod—they're thick and fight hard!

---

🌊 Tide Schedule - Morro Bay (August 23)

Note: Tide data based on NOAA predictions at Port San Luis (9412110)

Time	Tide	Height
12:54 AM	Low	~0.4 ft
7:00 AM	High	~3.5 ft
1:06 PM	Low	~0.5 ft
7:18 PM	High	~4.6 ft

Best Tide: High tide around 7:18 PM is ideal for rockfish and lingcod. Early morning low tide around 7 AM good for shore fishing.

---

🌙 Solunar Forecast - August 23

Period	Time	Activity
Major	7:06 AM - 9:06 AM	🟢 Prime
Minor	1:18 PM - 3:18 PM	🟡 Good
Major	7:30 PM - 9:30 PM	🟢 Prime

Best Times: Early morning (7-9 AM) and evening (7:30-9:30 PM) for best fishing!

---

📅 Extended Forecast

Monday: Sunny, NW winds 10-15 kt - Good fishing conditions Tuesday: Light winds - Excellent conditions Wednesday: Increasing NW winds - Check conditions before heading out Thursday: Small craft advisory possible - Plan accordingly

---

🎣 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 & NOAA Tides & Currents. Lake level data estimated based on seasonal trends.