SLO County Fishing Report — September 25, 2026

Good morning, Central Coast anglers! Here's your fishing report for September 25th, 2026.

🌤️ Conditions Overview

Friday brings fresh to strong northerly breezes as a weak cold front moves through. Expect elevated winds especially across Monterey Bay and south to Big Sur, where near-gale force gusts are possible Sunday afternoon and evening. Water temperatures remain warm, but ocean conditions are choppy with building swell—small craft advisories are in effect. Tropical storm activity to the south will begin generating longer-period southerly swell for the start of next week.

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🏞️ Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

Status: 🟢 Great Water Level: 744.70 ft MSL (+0.04 ft from yesterday) Water Temp: 68-72°F (estimated, based on seasonal norms)

Bass fishing remains excellent! The warm late-September water has fish active throughout the day, with early morning and late evening providing the best topwater action. With schools of shad throughout the lake, the bass are feeding aggressively.

What's Biting:

• 🐟 Largemouth bass - Great on topwater lures at dawn/dusk
• 🐠 White bass - Active near shad schools
• 🦐 Crappie - Good near submerged structure

Best Bets:

• Main lake points in 15-25 ft
• Las Tables area and up the narrows
• Floating baitfish schools in the mornings

Tips: Use light tackle for more action. Crawdad patterns working well midday. Watch for floating debris and grass. The bass are keying on shad—try small swimbaits!

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Lopez Lake

Status: 🟢 Good Water Level: ~83% capacity (estimated based on seasonal patterns) Water Temp: 65-70°F (estimated)

Bass fishing is solid with good action on shad rap, zoom worms, and crawdad patterns. Most catches coming from shallow water pockets and coves near structure. The lake is in great shape for late September.

Best Bets:

• Shallow pockets and coves
• Points with creek channel access
• Docks and pier areas

Tips: Fish are feeding heavily on shad. Try small swimbaits and spinnerbaits!

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Santa Margarita Lake

Status: 🟡 Fair Water Temp: 64-68°F (estimated)

Bass fair but holding deep during midday heat. Crappie and catfish picking up at dusk and dawn near submerged timber. The lake is at good levels for fall.

Best Bets:

• Deep water structure at dawn/dusk
• Crappie near brush piles
• Catfish on cut bait at night

Tips: Focus on early morning hours when water is coolest.

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🌊 Ocean Fishing - Morro Bay

Status: 🟡 Good (Check Conditions Before Heading Out) Conditions: Strong winds, moderate swell building Water Temp: 65.4°F (18.5°C from Buoy 46011) Wave Height: 4-6 ft (building to 6-8 ft this afternoon)

⚠️ Small Craft Advisory in effect! The fresh to strong northerly winds will make for choppy conditions, especially this afternoon. Check conditions before heading out.

Current Ocean Data (Buoy 46011 - Pt Conception):

• Wind: N-NW at 2-5 m/s (~4-11 mph), gusting to 6-7 m/s
• Wave Height: 1.6-1.9 m (~5-6 ft)
• Wave Period: 8-11 seconds
• Water Temp: 65.4°F (18.5°C)
• Air Temp: 62-64°F (17-18°C)
• Pressure: 1013.5-1014.0 hPa (steady)

NOAA Marine Forecast - Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas:

• Today: N-NW wind 15-25 kt, seas 4-6 ft, building to 6-8 ft this afternoon
• Tonight: NW wind 20-25 kt, seas 7-9 ft
• Saturday: NW wind 15-20 kt, seas 7-9 ft

⚠️ Advisory: Small craft advisory in effect through Saturday. Rough conditions on the water—exercise caution or plan a later start.

What's Biting:

• 🐟 Rockfish - Good action over rocky structure
• 🐡 Lingcod - Strong action, fish to 8+ lbs reported
• 🦈 Halibut - Good prospects along the beaches

Salmon Season: Check current regulations before heading out.

Charter Report - Morro Bay Landing:

"Rockfish doing well despite the choppy conditions. Lingcod hitting big swimbaits. Recommend morning trips before the wind picks up."

Best Bets:

• Bottom fishing over rocky structure (60-150 ft)
• Drift fishing along the drop-offs
• Cayucos Pier for halibut

Tips: Bring your heavy tackle for lingcod—they're thick and fight hard! Morning trips offer calmer seas before the wind builds.

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🌊 Tide Schedule - Morro Bay (September 25)

Note: Tide data based on NOAA predictions

Time	Tide	Height
5:12 AM	High	4.1 ft
11:06 AM	Low	1.6 ft
5:30 PM	High	5.3 ft
11:48 PM	Low	1.0 ft

Best Tide: High tide around mid-day is ideal for rockfish and lingcod. Low tide exposes structure for shore fishing.

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🌙 Solunar Forecast - September 25

Period	Time	Activity
Major	6:15 AM - 8:15 AM	🟢 Prime
Minor	12:45 PM - 2:45 PM	🟡 Good
Major	6:48 PM - 8:48 PM	🟢 Prime
Minor	1:18 AM - 3:18 AM	🟡 Good

Best Times: Early morning (6:00-8:00 AM) and evening (6:30-8:30 PM) for best fishing!

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📅 Extended Forecast

Saturday: Sunny, strong NW winds - Rough conditions, check advisories Sunday: Partly cloudy, strong winds - Small craft advisory likely Next Week: Building southerly swell from tropical activity - Check marine forecast

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🎣 Gear Recommendations

Lake:

• Topwater lures (frog, popper) for early morning
• Shad rap in chrome/silver
• Crawdad jigs (4-6") for midday
• Dropshot rigs for deep water

Ocean:

• Rockfish leader (20-30 lb)
• Lingcod tackle (40-60 lb)
• Fresh bait (sardines, anchovies)
• Surf gear for pier fishing

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📬 Stay Connected

Got a hot report? Send your photos and tips to tips@calcoasttides.com — we love featuring local catches!

See you on the water! 🎣

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Report generated for SLO County waters. Always check CDFW regulations before heading out. Ocean data courtesy of NOAA NDBC Buoy 46011 and NOAA Marine Forecast. Lake level data from US Lakes Network.