SLO County Fishing Report — September 20, 2026

Conditions Overview

Strong NW winds and rough seas make Sunday a hard day on the ocean. The lakes are fair. Nacimiento keeps dropping into late September, and the water is still warm enough to keep fish active.

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Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: Fair Water Level: 745.5 ft, 136,281 AF (36% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 20.

Bass are fair and adjusting to the lower water: deeper at midday, with better topwater at dawn and dusk. As the level falls, fish deeper structure. Crawdad patterns and slow-retrieved worms are working, and bass are keying on baitfish in open water. Watch for floating debris.

• Largemouth bass: Good on topwater at dawn and dusk
• White bass: Active near the remaining shad schools
• Crappie: Fair near submerged structure

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Lopez Lake

Status: Fair Water Level: 510.9 ft, 39,356 AF (80% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 20.

Bass are fair and moving deeper as the water starts to cool. Shad raps and crawdad patterns produce best, early and late.

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Santa Margarita Lake

Status: Fair

Bass are fair and hold deep at midday. Crappie and catfish pick up at dusk near submerged timber.

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Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Morro Bay Landing (Sep 19): Endeavor, full day, 30 anglers: 150 bocaccio, 80 rockfish, 60 red rockfish, 44 lingcod (up to 16 pounds).

Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 19): Patriot (Avila Beach), 1/2 day, 24 anglers: 164 rockcod, 6 bonito, 5 red rockcod, 4 copper rockfish.

Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 19.

Status: Rough Conditions: Strong NW winds, rough seas Water Temp: 66.5-67.5°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 6-7 ft (1.8-2.1 m)

Strong winds and rough seas make it a bad day for small boats. Put off ocean trips until Monday or Tuesday.

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):

• Wind: NW (330°) at 4-6 m/s (~9-13 mph), gusting 6-10 m/s
• Wave Height: 6-7 ft (1.8-2.1 m)
• Wave Period: 7-9 seconds
• Water Temp: 66.5-67.5°F (19.2-19.7°C)
• Air Temp: 60-62°F (15.9-16.7°C)
• Pressure: 1013.5-1014.2 hPa (steady)

Marine forecast:

• Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 10-15 kt this morning, seas 4-5 ft
• Tonight: NW 10-20 kt, gusts 25, seas 4-6 ft
• Monday: NW 10-20 kt, seas 4-6 ft
• Tuesday: NW 10-20 kt in the afternoon, 5-10 kt in the morning, seas 3-5 ft

Small craft advisory in effect from this afternoon through late tonight.

NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 224 AM PDT Sun Sep 20 2026.

What's Biting (when conditions allow):

• Rockfish - Great when seas calm
• Lingcod - Strong action expected to resume
• Halibut - Good prospects along beaches

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Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; lake levels from CDEC; marine forecast from NWS.