SLO County Fishing Report — September 17, 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
Fair64.9°F
NW 10-15 kt this afternoon, seas 3-4 ft
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass fishing remains excellent
Lopez Lake
GoodBass solid on shad raps and crawdad patterns in the coves
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair but holding deep during midday heat
Tides for the day
| 4:49 AM high | 3.3 ft |
|---|---|
| 7:16 AM low | 3.2 ft |
| 2:20 PM high | 4.8 ft |
| 10:46 PM low | 1.0 ft |
- range
- 3.8 ft
- sunrise
- 6:47 AM
- sunset
- 7:08 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Nacimiento | Morro Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | notedlargemouth · white | not reported |
| 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 reportNot reported.
- Largemouth bass Great on topwater lures at dawn and dusk
- White bass Active near shad schools
- Crappie good Near submerged structure
None listed.
- Status Great
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Todaylighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
NW 10-15 kt this afternoon, light winds this morning
- Tonightlighter
- seas
- 3–4 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
- Friday
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
- Saturday
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
Thursday is mild with a moderate northwest wind. The ocean is choppy but fishable, and the lakes are still warm enough for bass to feed all day.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great
Bass fishing is still excellent. Shad are schooled all over the lake and the bass are on them, with the best topwater bite early and late. Crawdad patterns work at midday. Watch for floating debris and grass.
- Largemouth bass: Great on topwater lures at dawn and dusk
- White bass: Active near shad schools
- Crappie: Good near submerged structure
Lopez Lake
Status: Good
Bass are solid on shad raps, Zoom worms and crawdad patterns, mostly from shallow pockets and coves near structure. Small swimbaits and spinnerbaits match the shad.
- Largemouth bass: Solid in shallow pockets and coves
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Bass are fair and holding deep through the midday heat. Crappie and catfish pick up at dusk and dawn near submerged timber, and catfish take cut bait at night.
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Good Conditions: Moderate NW winds, moderate swell Water Temp: 64.9°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 5.6 ft (1.7m)
The rockfish bite is still good, with a bit of chop from the NW wind and clean water.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NNW (330°) at 4.0 m/s (~9 mph), gusting to 5.0-6.0 m/s
- Wave Height: 5.6 ft (1.7m)
- Wave Period: 16 seconds (dominant), 8-9 seconds (average)
- Water Temp: 64.9°F (18.3°C)
- Air Temp: 62.6°F (17°C)
- Pressure: 1018.3 hPa (rising slowly)
Marine forecast:
- Today: NW 10-15 kt this afternoon, light winds this morning, seas 3-4 ft
- Tonight: NW 10-15 kt, seas 3-4 ft
- Friday: NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 3-5 ft
- Saturday: NW 15-25 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 202 AM PDT Thu Sep 17 2026.
What's Biting:
- Rockfish - Multiple species, including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod - Strong action
- Halibut - Good prospects along the beaches
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 16): Endeavor, 3/4 day, 16 anglers: 3 bonito. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 16.
Salmon Season: Open now.
Cayucos Pier is the shore option for halibut.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011.