SLO Fishing Report — June 26, 2026
Tides for June 26, 2026 — Morro Bay Area
| Time | Type | Height | |------|------|--------| | 2:48 AM | Low | 0.3 ft | | 9:08 AM | High | 3.3 ft | | 2:32 PM | Low | 1.8 ft | | 8:23 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
A slightly more active tide day with a higher evening high (5.5 ft) — similar to yesterday's evening push. The morning high around 9 AM and evening high around 8:15 PM are your prime windows. Focus on the incoming tide push (roughly 6–8:30 PM) for surf fishing action.
Lake Levels — June 26, 2026
All data from in805.com and snoflo.org (USGS/USBR):
| Lake | Current Storage | % Capacity | Trend | |------|------------|-----------|----------|-------| | Lake Nacimiento | ~50% | 50% | ↓ Down from ~67-68% (2025) | | Lake San Antonio | ~56% | 56% | ↓ Down from ~72% (2025) | | Lopez Lake | ~82.9% | 82.9% | ↓ Down from 93-94% (2025) | | Santa Margarita Lake | ~101.2% | 101.2%+ | ↑ Full / Overflow | | Whale Rock Reservoir | ~86.8% | 86.8% | Stable |
Quick Analysis
Nacimiento dropped significantly to ~50% capacity — down from 67-68% last year. Managed releases for groundwater recharge and agricultural use driving the decline. San Antonio at 56% (down from 72% last year), following similar trends. Lopez at 82.9% — still healthy but down from 93-94% in 2025. Santa Margarita is the star at 101%+ — effectively full with minor overflow storage.
With lower lake levels, fish will be concentrated in deeper water. Fish early morning (first light to ~8 AM) before thermals push fish deep. Boat ramps may have limited access at some lakes later in the summer.
Offshore Conditions — NOAA/ NDBC Buoy 46011 (Pt Conception) & 46028 (San Luis)
Current observations (12:30 PM):
- Wind: NW 6.0-8.0 m/s (12-16 knots)
- Gusts: up to 10.0 m/s (20 knots)
- Wave height: 1.3m (~4.3 ft) at 46011, 1.8m (~5.9 ft) at 46028
- Wave period: 16 seconds (long-period SW swell)
- Water temp: 15.4°C (60°F) at 46011, 14.7°C (58°F) at 46028
- Air temp: 14.5-14.6°C (58°F)
- Pressure: 1013.7 hPa — stable
NOAA Marine Forecast (Zone PZZ450: San Mateo Pt to Morro Bay):
| Period | Wind | Seas | Conditions | |--------|------|------|------------| | Today | NW 10-15 kt | 4-5 ft | Partly cloudy | | Tonight | NW 5-10 kt | 4 ft | Clearing | | Sat | NW 15-20 kt | 6-8 ft | Building swell | | Sun | N 20-25 kt | 8-10 ft | Large NW swell |
Takeaway: Similar to yesterday — light-moderate NW winds and manageable seas today. Weekend brings a significant northwesterly swell (20-25 kt winds, 8-10 ft seas) that will shut down most small boat fishing. Get out today if you want calm offshore conditions.
Solunar Fishing Forecast — June 26, 2026
Moon phase: Waning Gibbous (52% illumination)
Moon sign: Aquarius → Pisces
| Period | Time | Rating | |--------|------|--------| | Minor #1 | 5:54 AM – 7:30 AM | Fair | | Major #1 | 11:18 AM – 12:54 PM | Good | | Minor #2 | 6:06 PM – 7:30 PM | Fair | | Major #2 | 11:24 PM – 1:00 AM | Good |
Best fishing windows: The major feed around 11:15 AM–12:45 PM and late-night major around 11:30 PM–12:45 AM. These align reasonably well with the morning and evening high tides — fish the incoming tide during the PM major window.
Recommended Spots for Today
Surf / Pier Fishing:
- Cayucos Pier area — incoming tide (6–8:30 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
- Lopez: Good access and boat ramps — higher water levels than others
Offshore (if heading out):
- CP 46011 buoy area — lingcod and rockfish
- Point Buchon — structure and baitfish
Gear Notes
- Lake fishing: With lower 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: Lingcod season opens July 1 — now is the time to pre-scout spots.
Tide data from NOAA Station 9412110 (Morro Bay). Lake data from in805.com and snoflo.org (USGS/USBR). Marine conditions from NDBC Buoys 46011 and 46028 and NOAA Marine Forecast. Solunar times calculated based on lunar position.