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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | August 4, 2025

Report by Capt. Roger George
Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and reports on San Luis Reservoir striper fishing for Catch America.
What is working right now

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

From the report (Capt. Roger George): The lake level has started to stabilize at about 36 percent. Those fish are from down lower all the way up to the surface. I found fish in shallower water, 30 feet, all the way out 50, 60, and then out farther, deeper. It was a 41-inch striper that weighed 34-plus pounds. We used the Seaqualizer to put it down.

San Luis Reservoir August 4, 2025 FAQ

How full is San Luis Reservoir in early August?

It has stabilized at about 36 percent, with a little water coming in and going out each day.

What depth are San Luis stripers holding?

They are suspended and scattered from about 30 feet in shallow water out to 50, 60 feet and deeper.

What was the biggest fish caught?

A 41 inch striper that weighed 34-plus pounds, almost 35 pounds.

What is the best way to fish San Luis right now?

Find active fish first, then work them with trolling, spooning, jigging, casting, or ripbaits on the main lake.

How do you safely release deep-water stripers?

Use a Seaqualizer descending device clipped to your downrigger line to return big fish to depth.

How does Roger rate the San Luis bite?

About a three to four out of ten right now.

Tags: roger-george san-luis striped-bass
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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

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