San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | August 4, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Fish spread from the surface down, marked from about 30 feet shallow out through 50 to 60 feet and deeper. Finding the active depth each day was key.
Presentation
Cover water and stay versatile. Trolling, spooning, jigging, casting to shore, and rip baits all had their place. Keep searching for active fish that respond rather than sitting on marks.
Lures and baits
Trolled plugs, jigs, and rip baits, adjusting until responsive fish were found. A descending release tool was used for safe deep-water release of the big striper. Deeper marks will also take jigging and trolling spoons.
Best time
The bite picked up around noon.
Water level
Stabilizing at about 36 percent, with a little water going in and out each day.
Advice for this week
Use common sense. If the fish are not biting, they probably will not start just because you keep casting the same spot. Come back later when they may fire up. On a giant fish, get it back down quickly with a descending release tool to conserve the trophy.
What is changing
The reservoir started to stabilize at about 36 percent with a little water going in and out each day, and the moving water helped the fish get more active.
Next week
With the level stabilizing and a little fresh water moving through, Roger expected the fish to keep patterning up. The bite looked poised to improve as the fish settled into the new conditions.
Notable catch
A 41-inch striped bass weighing just over 34 pounds, close to 35, released with a descending tool.
San Luis Reservoir has stabilized around 36 percent full and stripers are settling in. Fish are suspended and scattered from 30 feet in shallow water out to 50 and 60 feet and deeper. The key is finding active fish and working them with trolling, spooning, jigging, or casting. Roger George landed a 41 inch, 34-plus pound striper on this trip.
What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?
Stripers, and the standout was a 41 inch fish weighing 34-plus pounds, nearly 35. Capt. Roger George rates the overall bite three to four out of ten. The lake has stabilized near 36 percent full, which is helping fish pattern up, though many remain inactive after the long drawdown.
What depth are the stripers at San Luis Reservoir?
Fish are suspended and scattered. Roger found them in water as shallow as 30 feet, out to 50 and 60 feet, and farther and deeper. There is no single depth, so keep looking for the active fish rather than fishing every mark you see.
What techniques work at San Luis Reservoir?
Trolling, spooning, jigging, casting to shore, and ripbaits can all produce. The main lake is the better bet right now. If fish are not biting, they probably will not, so come back later when they fire up. Finding active fish is the critical factor.
How do you handle big stripers at San Luis Reservoir?
Roger uses a Seaqualizer to release big fish safely from deep water. It clips to the downrigger line and the fish's mouth, then pops open at a chosen depth of 30, 50, or 70 feet so the fish swims away. A great way to conserve big fish.
What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?
With the lake stable at 36 percent and a little water moving in and out each day, fish are getting more active. It was a grind most of the day, with bites picking up around noon. Roger rates it three to four out of ten. Specific lure colors were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
San Luis Reservoir August 4, 2025 FAQ
It has stabilized at about 36 percent, with a little water coming in and going out each day.
They are suspended and scattered from about 30 feet in shallow water out to 50, 60 feet and deeper.
A 41 inch striper that weighed 34-plus pounds, almost 35 pounds.
Find active fish first, then work them with trolling, spooning, jigging, casting, or ripbaits on the main lake.
Use a Seaqualizer descending device clipped to your downrigger line to return big fish to depth.
About a three to four out of ten right now.
