SLO County Fishing Report — September 22, 2026
Tuesdaygauge 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
Rough3–5 ftwater 66°F
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, seas to 5-7 ft tonight, small craft advisory
Lake Nacimiento
Good745.0 ft35% capacity
Bass active all day in warm water, topwater early and late
Lopez Lake
GoodBass solid on shad raps from shallow coves
Santa Margarita Lake
FairBass fair but holding deep during midday
Tides for the day
| 2:19 AM low | 0.4 ft |
|---|---|
| 8:59 AM high | 4.2 ft |
| 2:03 PM low | 2.5 ft |
| 7:54 PM high | 5.1 ft |
- range
- 4.7 ft
- sunrise
- 6:51 AM
- sunset
- 7:00 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 |
| Salmon | not reported | notedseason |
By water
from the report- Water Level 745.0 ft, 134,765 AF (35% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 22.
- 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
- Today
- seas
- 3–5 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning
- Tonight
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
easing to 10-15 kt after midnight
- Wednesday
- seas
- 5–7 ft
- wind
- NW 10–15 kt
- Thursdaylighter
- seas
- 4–6 ft
- wind
- W 5–10 kt
W 5-10 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning
Full report2 min read ›
The NW wind builds to 15-25 kt on the coast this afternoon under a small craft advisory, with seas to 5-7 ft tonight. The lakes are the safer bet on Tuesday, and they are in good shape for late-season bass.
Lake Fishing Reports
Lake Nacimiento
Status: Great Water Level: 745.0 ft, 134,765 AF (35% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 22.
- 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 Water Level: 510.9 ft, 39,317 AF (80% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 22.
Santa Margarita Lake
Status: Fair
Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay
Status: Caution Conditions: Strong NW winds, rough seas Water Temp: 66°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning) Wave Height: 3-5 ft, building to 5-7 ft tonight
Rockfish and lingcod fishing has been excellent when boats can get out. Monday's dock totals are below. Wednesday night into Thursday looks calmer.
Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):
- Wind: NNW (330-340°) at 5-6 m/s, gusting to 7-8 m/s (~11-18 mph)
- Wave Height: ~4-5 ft (1.2-1.4m)
- Water Temp: 66°F (19.2°C)
- Air Temp: 60-63°F (16-17°C)
- Pressure: 1014 hPa (steady)
What's Biting:
- Rockfish - Multiple species including vermilion and blue
- Lingcod - Strong action
Salmon Season: Open through September 30.
Morro Bay Landing (Sep 21): Avenger, 3/4 day, 14 anglers: 116 rockfish, 14 copper rockfish, 14 lingcod, 7 bocaccio. Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 21): Patriot, 1/2 day, 13 anglers: 126 rockcod, 19 bonito, 5 lingcod (up to 12 lb). Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 21.
Marine Forecast
Today: NW 15-25 kt this afternoon, 5-10 kt this morning, seas 3-5 ft Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-15 kt after midnight, seas 5-7 ft Wednesday: NW 10-15 kt, seas 5-7 ft Thursday: W 5-10 kt in the afternoon, light winds in the morning, seas 4-6 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 200 AM PDT Tue Sep 22 2026.
Sources: NDBC buoy 46011; CDEC; NWS; SportfishingReport.com.