SLO County Fishing Report — September 4, 2026
Fridaygauge 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
NW wind chop, seas 3-5 ft; good rockfish catches
Lake Nacimiento
Good749.6 ft39% capacity
Excellent bass on shad, topwater at dawn and dusk
Lopez Lake
GoodSolid bass on shad raps and crawdad patterns
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass deep at midday, crappie and catfish at dusk
Tides for the day
| 6:22 AM high | 3.2 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:50 AM low | 3.1 ft |
| 4:02 PM high | 5.6 ft |
- range
- 2.4 ft
- sunrise
- 6:38 AM
- sunset
- 7:26 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 749.6 ft, 149,748 AF (39% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 4.
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Small swimbaits for the shad bite; crawdad patterns at midday.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- NW 15–20 kt
NW 15-20 kt this afternoon, light winds this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 4–5 ft
- wind
- NW 10–20 kt
easing to 5-10 kt after midnight
- Saturdaylighter
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
NW 10-15 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
- Sunday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 20–25 kt
NW 20-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
Friday is mild, with a moderate NW wind that keeps the ocean a little choppy until it eases in the late afternoon. The lake water is still warm.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 749.6 ft, 149,748 AF (39% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 4.
Bass fishing remains excellent, with shad schooled throughout the lake. Topwater is best 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
Tips: Small swimbaits for the shad bite; crawdad patterns at midday.
Lopez Lake
Status: Good Water Level: 511.5 ft, 39,785 AF (81% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 4.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Bass are fair and hold deep in the midday heat. Crappie and catfish pick up at dusk and dawn near submerged timber.
San Antonio Lake
Status: Fair Water Level: 740.8 ft, 163,633 AF (49% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Sep 4.
Bass fishing is fair. Fish hold deep during the heat of the day, and in the mornings they school near points and creek channels. Start with topwater early, then go deeper as the sun gets up.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Good Conditions: Moderate winds, moderate swell Water Temp: 63°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 3-4 ft (1.0-1.2m)
Rockfish are still coming in. It is a bit choppy as the NW wind picks up, but the water is clean. Seas are calmer in the morning.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW-NNW (300-320°) at 3-6 m/s (~7-13 mph)
- Gusts: Up to 7-8 m/s (~16-18 mph)
- Wave Height: ~3-4 ft (1.0-1.2m)
- Wave Period: 10-13 seconds
- Water Temp: 63°F (17.4°C)
- Air Temp: 63°F (17.2°C)
- Pressure: 1013 hPa (steady)
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Multiple species, including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod: Strong action
- Halibut: Good prospects along the beaches
Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 3): Flying Fish, half day, 10 anglers: 96 rockcod, 2 bocaccio, 2 red rockcod. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 3.
Salmon Season: Currently open.
Marine Forecast
Today: NW 15-20 kt this afternoon, light winds this morning, seas 3-5 ft Tonight: NW 10-20 kt, easing to 5-10 kt after midnight, seas 4-5 ft Saturday: NW 10-15 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 4-6 ft Sunday: NW 20-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 351 AM PDT Fri Sep 4 2026.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011.