San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | January 2026
The report at a glance
Presentation
Roger did not detail specific lures or retrieves. He noted that stained, murky water often produces a better bite because the fish react to a lure rather than inspect it from a distance.
Water temperature
Near 60 degrees
Water clarity
Murkier water coming in from the aqueduct pumps and the back of the lake; a striper's visibility sometimes less than 15 feet.
Water level
The water was still rising, with more water on the way.
Weather
Recent storms, wind and a full moon; low pressure passing through with another low a day or two out.
Advice for this week
Look for stability. Get past the negatives of storm, wind, full moon and low pressure, and fish the stable window when it lands. Murky water can actually help the bite. Roger's closing words: never give up, keep cranking, and throw your big fish back.
What is changing
The water was still rising, and the surface was holding near 60 degrees instead of plummeting the way it usually does this time of year. Murkier water was coming in from the aqueduct pumps and from the back of the lake out of Portuguese.
Next week
A full week of stable conditions near 60 degrees was in the forecast, which is remarkable for January. With more water on the way, Roger felt it could shape up to be one of the better springs in a long time and suggested putting the next two weeks on your go fishing list.
San Luis Reservoir is setting up for a strong stretch in January 2026 as a milder winter keeps water near 60 degrees. The full moon is fading and low pressure is easing, so Roger George expects a flip to a week of stable conditions the stripers should respond to. The lake is still rising, and incoming pump water is adding a helpful murk that makes fish more reactive to lures.
How is the striped bass bite at San Luis Reservoir right now?
It has been fairly slow in the limited windows anglers could get out, hurt by storms, wind, and a full moon last week. But Roger George expects a complete flip this week, with the full moon going away and low pressure easing into stable conditions the stripers should respond to.
Why is Roger optimistic about San Luis Reservoir?
A mild winter has kept water temperature around 60 degrees instead of plummeting, which keeps baitfish and stripers active in the coves and main lake. He calls it a really good temperature and thinks it could be one of the better springs in a long time.
How does the murky water affect the San Luis bite?
It helps. Pump inflow from the aqueduct and runoff from the Portuguese area are adding murk. Fish cannot see a lure from 15 feet away, so they get more reactive and the bite can actually improve in the stained water.
What conditions matter most at San Luis Reservoir now?
Stability. Roger watches for stable weather, and this week looks like a full week of stable conditions around 60 degrees, which is amazing for January. Water is still rising, another positive when the other factors line up.
What is Roger's advice for San Luis Reservoir?
Put the next two weeks on your go-fishing list if the forecast stays stable as predicted. His closing words are to never give up, keep cranking, and throw your big fish back. Specific lures and depths were not detailed in this report.
Watch the full report
San Luis Reservoir January 2026 FAQ
Slow in recent windows, but Roger George expects a flip to stable, productive conditions this week.
About 60 degrees, unusually warm for January in a mild winter.
Yes. Incoming pump water adds murk that makes stripers more reactive to lures.
Still rising, which Roger views as a positive when other factors line up.
Stability, and this week looks like a full week of stable weather near 60 degrees.
Specific lures were not detailed in this report.
He thinks it could be one of the better springs in a long time.
