SLO Fishing Report — June 25, 2026
Tides for June 25, 2026 — Morro Bay Area
| Time | Type | Height | |------|------|--------| | 2:12 AM | Low | 0.5 ft | | 8:24 AM | High | 3.1 ft | | 1:45 PM | Low | 2.0 ft | | 7:42 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
A milder tide day compared to yesterday's 5.4 ft evening high — still a solid push for surf fishing but not as extreme. The morning high around 8:30 AM and evening high around 7:45 PM are your prime windows. Focus on the incoming tide push (roughly 5:30–8 PM) for surf fishing action.
Lake Levels — June 25, 2026
All data from snoflo.org (USGS/USBR):
| Lake | Current Storage | % of Normal | Capacity | Trend | |------|------------|------------|---------|-------| | Lake Nacimiento | 285,131 acre-ft | 10% | 377,900 acre-ft | ↓ Very Low | | Lake San Antonio | 270,863 acre-ft | 49% | ~350,000 acre-ft | Stable | | Lopez Lake | 48,679 acre-ft | 30% | ~175,000 acre-ft | ↓ Low |
Santa Margarita Lake: Data currently unavailable — managed by SLO County.
Quick Analysis
Nacimiento is critically low at just 10% of normal for this date — well below historical average. This is a significant drop from last year's levels. Water temps will likely be warmer than usual given low volume, which could accelerate fishing patterns (earlier topwater bite, fish moving deeper faster). San Antonio is in better shape at 49%, but still below average. Lopez continues its multi-year decline at 30%.
If you're targeting lakes this weekend, expect crowded boat ramps and fishing pressure concentrated on remaining deep water. Fish early morning (first light to ~8 AM) before thermals push fish deep.
Offshore Conditions — NOAA/ NDBC Buoy 46011 (Pt Conception)
Current observations (12:30 PM):
- Wind: NNW 3.0 m/s (5-7 knots), gusts to 4.0 m/s
- Wave height: 1.3m (~4.3 ft)
- Wave period: 16 seconds (long-period SW swell)
- Water temp: 15.2°C (59°F)
- Air temp: 14.6°C (58°F)
- Pressure: 1014.2 hPa — stable
NOAA Marine Forecast (Zone PZZ450: San Mateo Pt to Morro Bay):
| Period | Wind | Seas | Conditions | |--------|------|------|------------| | Today | N 5-10 kt | 5 ft | Patchy dense fog AM | | Tonight | NW 5 kt | 4 ft | Clearing | | Fri | SW 5 kt | 3 ft | Chance of rain | | Sat | NW 10-15 kt | 5 ft | Building swell | | Sun-Mon | N 20-25 kt | 8-9 ft | Large NW swell |
Takeaway: Today's the best offshore day this week. Light winds, manageable seas, and fog providing cover for baitfish. Get out early if you want calm conditions — Saturday and Sunday bring a significant northwesterly swell (20-25 kt winds, 8-9 ft seas) that will shut down most small boat fishing.
Solunar Fishing Forecast — June 25, 2026
Moon phase: Waning Gibbous (61% illumination)
Moon sign: Aquarius
| Period | Time | Rating | |--------|------|--------| | Minor #1 | 5:12 AM – 6:48 AM | Fair | | Major #1 | 10:36 AM – 12:12 PM | Good | | Minor #2 | 5:24 PM – 6:48 PM | Fair | | Major #2 | 10:48 PM – 12:24 AM | Good |
Best fishing windows: The major feed around 10:30 AM–12:15 PM and late-night major around 10:45 PM–12:15 AM. These align well with the morning and evening high tides — fish the incoming tide during the AM major window.
Recommended Spots for Today
Surf / Pier Fishing:
- Cayucos Pier area — incoming tide (5–8 PM)
- Morro Bay estuary channel — moving water on high tides
- North of Morro Rock — sandy stretches
Lake Fishing (early AM recommended):
- Nacimiento: Points 7, 8, and 9 — deep water near steep banks
- San Antonio: Main lake points, 15-25 ft depth
Offshore (if heading out):
- CP 46011 buoy area — lingcod and rockfish
- Point Buchon —结构和 baitfish
Gear Notes
- Lake fishing: With low water levels, concentrate on deeper structure. Topwater bite is fading as temps rise — shift to deeper finesse presentations (drop-shot, Ned rigs).
- Surf: Light leader (8-10 lb) for perch, heavier (20-30 lb) for halibut and bass.
- Offshore: Bobstay ready for lingcod — regulations open July 1 but pre-scouting now is smart.
Tide data from NOAA Station 9412110 (Morro Bay). Lake data from snoflo.org (USGS/USBR). Marine conditions from NDBC Buoy 46011 and NOAA Marine Forecast. Solunar times calculated based on lunar position.