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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | April 2026

Report by Capt. Roger George
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service specializes in San Luis Reservoir stripers for Catch America.
What is working right now

San Luis Reservoir stripers are fishing moderate but improving in April, and the trophies are here. Roger George's group landed a 40-inch, 30-pound striper at about 60 feet. Water holds around 64 degrees with heavy algae and the lake near 1.8 million acre-feet. Trolling is moderate, while jigging and spooning produce at times. Cover ground and fish the bite windows.

What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?

Striped bass, and some big ones. Capt. Roger George's group landed a 40-inch, roughly 30-pound striper this trip, the biggest of their year so far. The fish are fat and in great shape. April fishing has been moderate but Roger expects it to improve.

How deep are the San Luis stripers in April?

The 30-pound trophy came from about 60 feet. Fish are spread out and you have to find them. Guys are still working the shores and the trash racks when water is pumping, but otherwise you need to cover ground to locate active fish.

What techniques are working at San Luis in April?

Trolling has been moderate. Jigging and spooning have worked at times when you get on groups of fish. The bite windows can be short and hard to find, so experienced anglers who fish hard and cover water do best.

What are the water conditions at San Luis Reservoir?

Water temperature is holding around 64 degrees with fairly heavy algae, which Roger thinks actually helps the fish. The lake sits near 1.8 million acre-feet, rising and falling daily, and wind can jump to 40 mph, so plan carefully.

What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?

Roger expects the striper bite to improve through the April into May transition, though wind becomes a bigger factor. With some stability in lake level, he is optimistic. Specific lures were not named in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Roger George): Here in April, the fishing has been moderate during the entire month, but I expect it to improve. Water temperature is holding about 64 degrees. This is a monster. 40 inches, right at 30 pounds. And we caught this fish probably about 60 feet. That's just about what the depth was on it. The fish are fat, great, great shape.

San Luis Reservoir April 2026 FAQ

How big do stripers get at San Luis Reservoir?

Roger's group landed a 40-inch, roughly 30-pound striper on this April trip.

How deep was the big San Luis striper caught?

At about 60 feet.

What is the water temperature at San Luis in April 2026?

About 64 degrees, with fairly heavy algae in the lake.

What techniques work for San Luis stripers?

Trolling has been moderate, while jigging and spooning produce at times on groups of fish.

What is the lake level at San Luis Reservoir?

About 1.8 million acre-feet, going up and down on a daily basis.

What lure caught the trophy striper?

A specific lure was not named in this report.

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    San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

    Report by Capt. Roger George Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and is the exclusive guide on San Luis Reservoir. Reach him at (559) 905-2954 to book a trip. What is working right now San Luis Reservoir is fishing up and down in late July 2026 as heavy wind stirs algae and holds the water temperature at 71 degrees. Capt. Roger George is trolling the main lake flats in 60 to 80 feet of water at 2.2 to 2.4 mph, running lures 120 to 140 feet behind the boat. White belly and chartreuse are the top colors. One recent trip landed fish of 14, 21, and 27 pounds. What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?The bite is up and down as constant wind churns the lake. Capt. Roger George had an epic recent trip with guest Bob McGill, landing fish of 14, 21, and 27 pounds, then a tough follow-up trip. Big fish are still figuring out where the bait has moved. The report did not name a specific target species. What depth are the fish holding at San Luis Reservoir in late July?Roger is fishing the main lake flats that run about 70 feet deep, trolling in water 60 to 80 feet deep. As the surface warms toward 80 degrees over the next week, expect fish to slide deeper, likely down to 70 to 80 feet. Watch your sonar daily since depth shifts with wind and overcast. What lure colors are working at San Luis Reservoir?White belly patterns are helping out right now, and chartreuse is producing as well. Colors can change day to day with the wind and light, so Roger's rule is to let the fish tell you what they want rather than committing to one pattern. Specific lure models were not named in this report. How is Roger George rigging and trolling at San Luis Reservoir?He is trolling 2.2 to 2.4 mph and letting lures back 120, 130, and 140 feet behind the boat, running through water 60 to 80 feet deep on the main lake flats. He leans on his sonar to find the depth fish are holding at and whether they are active before committing to a zone. What are conditions like at San Luis Reservoir?The lake is holding stable near 50 percent, with water being pumped in and out, which stirs in grass, debris, and algae. Water temperature is only 71 degrees, well below normal. Heavy wind is the biggest factor, and shore anglers have been doing a little better than boaters because wind limits boat time. What is the guide's outlook for San Luis Reservoir?Roger expects temperatures to rise toward 80 degrees over the next week, which should move fish deeper and change the pattern again. His forecast is decent fishing coming up if you can handle the summer heat. Water clarity beyond the algae mixing was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Roger George): We're running 2.2, 2.4 mph and we're putting back 120, 130, 140 ft behind the boat and running it in water that's like 60 to 80 ft deep. White bellies right now seem to be helping out. Chartreuse is working as well as the white, but that could change tomorrow. Once again, let the fish tell you what's happening. San Luis Reservoir July 27, 2026 FAQ What is the water temperature at San Luis Reservoir?Water temperature is 71 degrees, well below normal for late July, held down by heavy wind. Roger expects it to rise toward almost 80 degrees over the following week. What lake level is San Luis Reservoir at?The lake is holding stable around 50 percent, with water being pumped in and taken out, which is normal for this time of year and stirs in grass and debris. How fast should you troll at San Luis Reservoir?Roger is trolling 2.2 to 2.4 mph on the main lake flats. How far behind the boat should you run lures at San Luis Reservoir?He is letting lures back 120, 130, and 140 feet behind the boat in 60 to 80 feet of water. What lure colors are working at San Luis Reservoir?White belly patterns and chartreuse are the top colors right now, though Roger says colors can change day to day. Are shore anglers or boaters doing better at San Luis Reservoir?Shore anglers have been doing a little better than boaters because the constant wind limits how and when boats can fish, while shore anglers can fish earlier and later. What size fish are being caught at San Luis Reservoir?One recent trip produced fish of 14, 21, and 27 pounds, though the next trip was much tougher. The specific species was not named in this report. Who guides San Luis Reservoir?Capt. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service, the exclusive guide on San Luis Reservoir. Call (559) 905-2954 to book. Shop the Tackle Trolling Spoons Striped Bass Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear

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