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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | June 16, 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 is tough right now. The lake is falling about a foot a day, down 30 feet in a month to 1.1 million acre-feet, water is in the 70s with heavy algae, and stripers are deep in a major spawn. Roger George rates it two to three out of ten. Scout the main lake, troll a little deeper on calm days, and stay persistent for a shot at a big fish.

What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?

Stripers, but the bite is slow. Capt. Roger George rates it two to three out of ten. The fish are in a very big spawn and everything being caught is milting, so many fish are only interested in spawning and will follow lures without committing.

Why is the San Luis bite so slow right now?

Several factors stack up. The lake is dropping about a foot a day, down 30 feet in a month to 1.1 million acre-feet, which hurts stability. Water is in the 70s with heavy algae, and a recent full moon plus an active spawn have fish focused on spawning, not feeding.

Where are the fish holding at San Luis Reservoir?

Fish are in the main lake and running deeper as shallow areas like Portuguese Cove get shallower. On calm days with good light penetration, trolling and focusing a little deeper helps. Locations shift day to day, so scout to find them.

What techniques work at San Luis Reservoir now?

The game is finding the fish first, then figuring out what they want, whether trolling, jigging, or spooning. Once you mark fish on your electronics, work to get them active. Patience is key during this unstable, high-pressure spawning period.

What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?

It will be difficult until the lake stabilizes, but Roger expects some relief and a better bite fairly soon. A few big fish are still being caught during the spawn. He recommends staying persistent. Specific lures were not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Roger George): The lake is falling a foot a day or so, and it's down to 1.1 million acre feet. These fish are on a very big spawn right now. Everything that we're catching is milting. We're finding fish in the main lake, and we're trolling a little bit deeper. I would rate it about a two or three out of 10 right now.

San Luis Reservoir June 16, 2025 FAQ

How fast is San Luis Reservoir dropping?

About a foot a day, down 30 feet in the last month to 1.1 million acre-feet.

Why are the stripers not biting well?

They are in a major spawn and milting, plus a recent full moon and falling, warm, algae-heavy water are hurting stability.

Where should you fish San Luis right now?

The main lake, trolling a little deeper, especially on calm days with good light penetration.

How does Roger rate the June bite?

About a two or three out of ten. It is slow.

Are any big fish being caught?

Yes, a few big fish are still landed during the spawning period.

What is the water temperature at San Luis?

Up into the 70s, with heavy algae forming in the heat.

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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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