SLO County Fishing Report — September 3, 2026
Thursdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121102 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
Fair3–4 ftwater 63°F
Cold front: chop, morning rain possible, waves 3-4 ft
Lake Nacimiento
Good749.9 ft39% capacity
Bass feeding on shad, topwater best early and late
Lopez Lake
GoodBass in shallow pockets and coves near structure
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair, holding deep in the midday heat
Tides for the day
| 4:09 AM high | 3.2 ft |
|---|---|
| 7:46 AM low | 2.7 ft |
| 2:48 PM high | 5.5 ft |
| 10:58 PM low | 0.5 ft |
- range
- 5.0 ft
- sunrise
- 6:37 AM
- sunset
- 7:28 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | noted |
| Lingcod | not reported | excellent |
| Halibut | not reported | good |
| Salmon | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the report- Water Level 749.9 ft, 150,606 AF (39% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 3.
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Try small swimbaits for the shad-feeding bass, and crawdad patterns at midday.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
easing to 5-10 kt after midnight
- Friday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–20 kt
NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
- Saturdaylighter
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
NW 10-15 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
A weak cold front crosses the Central Coast this Thursday morning. Clouds and a chance of rain clear by afternoon, and the wind swings from SW to NW behind the front. The NW wind then builds, so the morning trips get the better seas.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 749.9 ft, 150,606 AF (39% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 3.
Bass fishing remains excellent. Schools of shad are all over the lake and the bass are feeding hard. Topwater is best early in the morning and late in the evening.
What's Biting:
- Largemouth bass - Great on topwater lures at dawn/dusk
- White bass - Active near shad schools
- Crappie: Good. Near submerged structure
Tips: Try small swimbaits for the shad-feeding bass, and crawdad patterns at midday.
Lopez Lake
Status: Good Water Level: 511.5 ft, 39,809 AF (81% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 3.
Bass fishing is solid. Shad rap, zoom worms and crawdad patterns all produce, and most fish come from shallow pockets and coves near structure.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Good Conditions: Moderate chop, morning rain possible Water Temp: 63°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 3-4 ft
Rockfish are still biting. The pressure at the Santa Maria buoy is falling ahead of the front. Expect clouds and maybe rain this morning, then choppy seas once the NW wind fills in behind it.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW (320-330°) at 6-8 m/s, gusting to 9 m/s (~13-20 mph)
- Wave Height: ~3.3 ft (1.0m)
- Wave Period: 10 seconds
- Water Temp: 63°F (17.3°C)
- Air Temp: 62°F (16.8°C)
- Pressure: 1015.5 hPa (falling - front approaching)
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Multiple species including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod: Strong action
- Halibut: Good prospects along the beaches
Salmon Season: Open now.
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 2): Starfire, half day, 15 anglers: 110 rockfish, 30 bocaccio, 15 copper rockfish, 15 red rockfish, 10 lingcod. Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 2): Sunny Day, half day, 4 anglers: 37 rockcod, 5 lingcod. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 2.
Marine Forecast
Today: NW 10-20 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning, seas 3-4 ft Tonight: NW 10-15 kt, easing to 5-10 kt after midnight, seas 4-5 ft Friday: NW 15-20 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 4-6 ft Saturday: NW 10-15 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 4-6 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 116 AM PDT Thu Sep 3 2026.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; weather from Open-Meteo.