Journal • SLO County Fishing Report — September 28, 2026

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SLO County Fishing Report — September 28, 2026

Mondaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121105 places

There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →

Verdicts by place

  • Lake Nacimiento

    Good

    744.1 ft34% capacity

    Catfish excellent in 20-35 ft; white bass schooling on shad early

  • Santa Margarita Lake

    Good

    Largemouth on deep structure, improving as the water cools

  • San Antonio Lake

    Fair

    738.9 ft48% capacity

    Catfish good on chicken liver; trout slow, bass fair early

  • Morro Bay offshore

    Fair

    6–7 ftNW 20–25 kt

    Rockfish and lingcod excellent; NW 15-25 kt and 6-8 ft seas by this afternoon, small craft advisory; lighter wind Wed-Thu

Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time

Tides for the day

-1 ft0 ft1 ft2 ft3 ft4 ft5 ft6 ft7 ft12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM5:02 AM · 1.6 ft11:14 AM · 5.8 ft6:07 PM · 0.2 ft
NOAA high and low tides
5:02 AM low1.6 ft
11:14 AM high5.8 ft
6:07 PM low0.2 ft
range
5.6 ft
sunrise
6:56 AM
sunset
6:52 PM

Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →

Bite grid

excellentgoodfairslownoted

SpeciesNacimientoSanta MargaritaLopezSan AntonioMorro Bay
Bassgoodwhite · spottedgoodlargemouthgoodfairnot reported
Catfishexcellentgoodnot reportedgoodnot reported
Crappie / panfishnot reportedgoodnotedpanfishnot reportednot reported
Troutnot reportednot reportednot reportedslownot reported
Rockfishnot reportednot reportednot reportednot reportedexcellentvermilion · copper · blue
Lingcodnot reportednot reportednot reportednot reportedgood
Salmonnot reportednot reportednot reportednot reportednoted

By water

from the report
Water
  • Level 744.1 ft, 131,841 AF (34% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 28.
What's biting
  • White Bass good Early morning shallow bite, schooling on shad
  • Spotted Bass good On main lake points and creek channels
  • Catfish excellent Big cats stacking in 20-35 ft, chicken liver working great
Lures & bait
  • Spinnerbaits
  • crankbaits (shad colors)
  • topwater early morning

Fish the coves early. Shad are moving shallow.

Marine forecast

seaswindas written in the report

  1. Today
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 15–25 kt

    seas 6-8 ft by afternoon, morning NW 5-10 kt, seas 5-6 ft

  2. Tonight
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 15–25 kt

    easing to 10-15 kt after midnight

  3. Tuesday
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 15–25 kt

    NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning

  4. Wednesday
    seas
    6–8 ft
    wind
    NW 5–10 kt
Full report2 min read ›

Catfish are the best bite at Nacimiento. Wind and seas build this afternoon under a small craft advisory, and the wind eases by midweek.

Lake Fishing Reports

Lake Nacimiento

  • Level: 744.1 ft, 131,841 AF (34% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Sep 28.
  • White Bass: Good. Early morning shallow bite, schooling on shad
  • Spotted Bass: Good on main lake points and creek channels
  • Best Lures: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits (shad colors), topwater early morning
  • Catfish: EXCELLENT. Big cats stacking in 20-35 ft, chicken liver working great
  • Tip: Fish the coves early. Shad are moving shallow.

Santa Margarita Lake

  • Largemouth Bass: Good. Deep structure bite improving with cooling water
  • Best Baits: Deep-diving crankbaits, drop-shots, Texas rigs
  • Crappie: Good on deep brush in 15-25 ft
  • Catfish: Good. Chicken liver and garlic shrimp
  • Tip: Focus on creek channels and deep water points.

Lopez Lake

  • Level: 510.7 ft, 39,175 AF (79% of capacity), CDEC LOP, Sep 28.
  • Bass: Good.
  • Panfish: Bluegill and crappie near marina structure
  • Tip: Fish the deep pockets and creek channels

San Antonio Lake

  • Level: 738.9 ft, 157,414 AF (48% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Sep 28.
  • Trout: Slow. Try PowerBait at dawn near inlet
  • Catfish: Good. Big cats on chicken liver
  • Bass: Fair on shallow crankbaits early morning
  • Tip: Water is low, so focus on the deep pockets that are left

Ocean Fishing: Morro Bay

Current Ocean Conditions (Buoy 46011 - Santa Maria):

  • Water Temp: 65°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria, morning)
  • Wave Height: 6-7 ft, decreasing through the week
  • Wind: NW 20-25 knots, gusts to 25 knots, diminishing mid-week
  • Air Temp: 61°F (16°C)

Marine forecast:

  • Today: NW 15-25 kt, seas 6-8 ft by afternoon; morning NW 5-10 kt, seas 5-6 ft
  • Tonight: NW 15-25 kt, easing to 10-15 kt after midnight, seas 6-8 ft
  • Tuesday: NW 15-25 kt in the afternoon, 10-15 kt in the morning, seas 6-8 ft
  • Wednesday: NW 5-10 kt, seas 6-8 ft

Small craft advisory in effect from noon today through this evening.

NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 206 AM PDT Mon Sep 28 2026.

What's Biting:

  • Lingcod: Good.
  • Rockfish: Excellent action across all species
  • Vermilion Rockfish: Strong showing in 80-150 ft
  • Copper Rockfish: Good numbers
  • Blue Rockfish: Abundant.
  • Salmon: Possible. Check CDFW regulations before you go.

Morro Bay Landing (Sep 27): Endeavor, full day, 17 anglers: 100 bocaccio, 29 lingcod (up to 18 lb), 34 red rockfish, 30 rockfish. Patriot Sportfishing (Sep 27): Patriot, 3/4 day, 29 anglers: 202 rockcod, 1 white seabass. Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, Sep 27.

Current Bait Report:

  • Mackerel active in the bay
  • Sardines showing up, good for trolling.
  • Squid — consistent performer

Best Ocean Lures Right Now:

  • 7" Squid strips
  • 5" Swimbaits (anchovy/sardine colors)
  • Deep-diving crankbaits for trolling

Data Sources: USGS, NOAA, NDBC Buoy 46011

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