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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | August 25, 2025

Report by Roger George
Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and targets striped bass on San Luis Reservoir.
What is working right now

San Luis Reservoir striper fishing is slow and in transition in late August 2025, rated about a two or three out of ten. Fish are holding around 70 feet. Troll stick baits like Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Rapala in shad colors, and work coves with rip baits in the afternoon. Wind, monsoon weather, and pumping water are moving fish daily.

How is San Luis Reservoir fishing right now?

Slow. Roger George rates it about a two or three out of ten. He caught a few fish in the morning near the dam, but 20 mph wind, shifting wind direction, overcast, and recent monsoon conditions with lightning have kept it tough. The fish are hard to pattern and require covering ground.

What depth are San Luis stripers holding?

The fish are holding at about 70 feet. Water is being pumped in and out day to day, which changes lake depth and affects where the stripers sit, so plan to search rather than expecting them in the same spot two days running.

What lures work at San Luis Reservoir now?

Troll stick baits from Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Rapala in shad colors, which are the colors to focus on. Anglers are also catching some from shore on bait, and throwing rip baits in the coves in the afternoon can produce if you are in the right place. These are not Catch America products.

How full is San Luis Reservoir?

The reservoir is at about 38 percent. They are putting water in on and off, pumping day to day, morning and afternoon, which is affecting both the fish and how deep the lake is. That fluctuation is a big reason the stripers have been hard to pattern this year.

What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?

Roger hopes for stabilization soon so things start working more normally, and heading into fall the fishing could become awesome. For now, expect a new lake almost every day and be ready to search and cover water. Exact water temperatures were not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Roger George): We caught a few fish this morning. It's been slow fishing, had a lot of wind this morning, 20 miles an hour. The fish are holding at about 70 feet. We're trolling everything from Lucky Craft, to Smithwick, to Rapalas, all of those types of things in shad colors. We're at about 38% right now.

San Luis Reservoir August 25, 2025 FAQ

How deep are San Luis Reservoir stripers now?

About 70 feet.

What lures work at San Luis in late August?

Trolled stick baits from Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Rapala in shad colors.

How full is San Luis Reservoir?

About 38 percent, with water pumped in and out day to day.

How would you rate San Luis fishing right now?

About a two or three out of ten, because it has been slow and variable.

What is affecting the San Luis bite?

Wind, monsoon weather with lightning, and pumping water moving the fish.

What colors work best at San Luis?

Shad colors on stick baits.

Tags: roger-george san-luis-reservoir striped-bass
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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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