SLO County Fishing Report — August 25, 2026

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for August 25th, 2026.

🌤️ Conditions Overview

Tuesday brings warm inland temps but comfortable coastal conditions. A fresh NW wind is picking up, creating choppy ocean conditions but excellent fishing weather. The long period southerly swell will start building Thursday, so get out on the water now before conditions change!

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🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: 🟢 Great Water Level: ~760 ft MSL (typical summer pool) Water Temp: 68-72°F

Bass fishing remains excellent! The warm late-summer water has 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.

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Lopez Lake

Status: 🟢 Good Water Level: Healthy for late summer 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!

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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.

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🌊 Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Status: 🟡 Good (Choppy) Conditions: Fresh NW winds, moderate swell building Water Temp: 63°F (17°C from Buoy 46011) Wave Height: 4-5 ft (1.4-1.5m)

Rockfish season continues to deliver! Charter boats are still reporting limits, though today's fresh NW winds will create choppy conditions. The long period southerly swell building Thursday will create bigger seas, so conditions will be best in the morning before the wind picks up.

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Pt Conception):

• Wind: NW at 10-15 kt, increasing to 15-20 kt this afternoon
• Wave Height: ~4-5 ft (1.4-1.5m)
• Wave Period: 7-14 seconds (mixed swell)
• Water Temp: 63°F (17°C)
• Air Temp: 62-65°F (17-18°C)

NOAA Marine Forecast:

Fresh breezes today will become fresh to strong on Wednesday and persist through the remainder of the week into the weekend with moderate seas. Long period southerly swell will begin to build on Thursday, becoming 15 to 17 seconds for Friday and Saturday.

Small Craft Advisory: In effect from this evening through Thursday morning for offshore waters.

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!

Best Bets:

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

Tips: Get out early! Morning offers the calmest conditions before the NW wind picks up. Bring your heavy tackle for lingcod—they're thick and fight hard!

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🌊 Tide Schedule - Morro Bay (August 25)

Note: Tide data based on NOAA predictions

Time	Tide
6:22 AM	Low
12:45 PM	High
6:48 PM	Low
1:08 AM	High (Wed)

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

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🌙 Solunar Forecast - August 25

Period	Time	Activity
Major	6:22 AM - 8:22 AM	🟢 Prime
Minor	12:45 PM - 2:45 PM	🟡 Good
Major	6:48 PM - 8:48 PM	🟢 Prime
Minor	1:08 AM - 3:08 AM	🟡 Good

Best Times: Early morning (6-8 AM) and evening (6:30-8:30 PM) for best fishing!

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📅 Extended Forecast

Wednesday: Sunny, fresh NW winds - Good conditions (get out early!) Thursday: Building swell, strong winds - Rough ocean conditions Friday-Saturday: Large swell (15-17 sec period), 6-8 ft waves - Not ideal for small boats Sunday: Swell begins to ease - Conditions improving

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🎣 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

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📬 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! 🎣

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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. Weather data from Open-Meteo.