SLO County Fishing Report — September 11, 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
Rough5–6 ftwater 63.7°F
NW wind building, seas 4-6 ft, 6-8 ft and NW 25-35 kt by Sunday
Lake Nacimiento
Good747.9 ft38% capacity
Bass excellent, topwater early and late
Lopez Lake
GoodSolid bass in shallow coves near structure
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair, deep at midday
Tides for the day
| 4:41 AM low | 0.1 ft |
|---|---|
| 10:55 AM high | 5.2 ft |
| 4:56 PM low | 0.9 ft |
| 10:56 PM high | 5.3 ft |
- range
- 5.2 ft
- sunrise
- 6:43 AM
- sunset
- 7:16 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie / panfish | good | not reported |
| Rockfish | not reported | good |
| Lingcod | not reported | excellent |
| Halibut | not reported | good |
| Salmon | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the report- Water Level 747.9 ft, 143,707 AF (38% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 11.
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-20 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
easing to 10-20 kt after midnight
- Saturday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
- Sunday
- seas
- 6–8 ft
- wind
- NW 25–35 kt
NW 25-35 kt in the afternoon, 15-25 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
If you want to fish the ocean this week, go today. The NW wind builds on Friday, with a small craft advisory this afternoon, and should have the seas rough by Sunday. The lakes are excellent.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 747.9 ft, 143,707 AF (38% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 11.
Bass fishing remains excellent, with the best topwater action 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
Lopez Lake
Status: Good Water Level: 511.2 ft, 39,594 AF (80% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 11.
Tips: The fish are on shad, so try small swimbaits and spinnerbaits.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Bass are fair and stay deep in the midday heat. Crappie and catfish come up at dawn and dusk near submerged timber.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Fair (Caution Advised) Conditions: Fresh to Strong NW winds, rough seas building Water Temp: 63.7°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 5-6 ft, building to 6-8 ft by Saturday night
Today is workable, but expect chop, mostly in the afternoon when the wind picks up.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NW (330°) at 8.0 m/s, gusting to 10.0 m/s (~18-22 mph)
- Wave Height: ~6 ft (1.9m) at 7 seconds
- Water Temp: 63.7°F (17.6°C)
- Air Temp: 62.6°F (17.0°C)
- Pressure: 1012.8 hPa (steady)
What's Biting:
- Rockfish: Good when conditions allow
- Lingcod: Strong action
- Halibut: Good prospects along the beaches
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 11): Avenger, 3/4 day, 26 anglers: 200 rockfish, 30 red rockfish, 25 bocaccio. Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 11): Patriot, 3/4 day, 25 anglers: 248 rockcod, 5 whitefish. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 11.
Salmon Season: Open now.
Tips: Go early, before the NW wind builds. Sunday looks rougher still, with NW 25-35 kt in the afternoon.
Marine Forecast
Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-20 kt this morning, seas 4-6 ft Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-20 kt after midnight, seas 5-7 ft Saturday: NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 4-6 ft Sunday: NW 25-35 kt in the afternoon, 15-25 kt in the morning, seas 6-8 ft
Small craft advisory in effect from this afternoon through this evening.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 230 AM PDT Fri Sep 11 2026.
Lake Forecast: Warm, stable weather and mild winds on the lakes all weekend.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011.