San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | March 2026
The report at a glance
Presentation
Trolling carried the day. Jigging, spooning, and deeper swim baits are all in play as the water warms and fish spread out with the rising lake.
Lures and baits
Deeper presentations did the work: trolled baits, jigs, spoons, and swim baits for striped bass. No specific brand called out in this report.
Water temperature
Around 60 degrees
Water level
Filling fast, taking on 6,000 to 7,000 acre-feet of water per day.
Weather
Wind will become a bigger factor later in March.
Advice for this week
Pick your days around the wind and the heat. With the lake rising instead of dropping, conditions favor an improving bite through the rest of March.
What is changing
The lake is filling fast, taking on 6,000 to 7,000 acre-feet of water per day, moving fish and changing currents. Fish are already starting to milt, roughly a month ahead of the normal track.
Next week
Early milt and spawn signs point to fish running ahead of the normal calendar, so expect an earlier spawn. Wind should pick up heading toward April, which usually shakes things up.
Notable catch
Roger and two anglers put over 20 fish in the boat in a day, including a 12-pounder.
San Luis Reservoir is filling fast and the striped bass bite is improving in March 2026. With 6,000 to 7,000 acre-feet coming in daily, a rising lake, and water near 60 degrees, Roger George rates it four out of five. He fished 20-plus stripers in a day including a 12-pounder, almost entirely trolling. Trolling, jigging, spooning, and deeper swimbaits should all keep producing.
How is the striped bass bite at San Luis Reservoir right now?
Improving and rated four out of five. Roger George fished 20-plus stripers in a day, almost entirely trolling, with a 12-pounder in the mix. The lake is rising and stable at a good temperature, which has the fish active heading into spring.
What conditions are driving the San Luis bite?
A lot of inflow. They are putting in 6,000 to 7,000 acre-feet per day, which moves fish and changes currents. Water temperature is around 60 degrees, and some fish are already starting to milt, roughly a month ahead of the normal track. Wind will become more of a factor late in March.
What techniques are working at San Luis Reservoir?
Roger did almost all of his catching on the troll this trip. He expects trolling, jigging, spooning, and deeper baits like swimbaits to all produce well as the fishery improves. Pick your days around the heat and wind for the best shot.
What is the San Luis Reservoir outlook for spring?
Promising. With the lake rising, stable conditions, and fish moving early, Roger thinks it could be one of the better springs in a long time. He suggests putting the next couple of weeks of stable weather on your go-fishing list.
How big are the San Luis stripers right now?
Roger had fish up to a 12-pounder in a 20-plus fish day. Specific average sizes beyond that were not detailed, but the quality and numbers point to an active, healthy striped bass population as spring sets up.
Watch the full report
San Luis Reservoir March 2026 FAQ
Improving and rated four out of five, with 20-plus fish days and a 12-pounder.
Around 60 degrees.
About 6,000 to 7,000 acre-feet per day, with the lake rising.
Trolling led the way, with jigging, spooning, and deeper swimbaits also expected to produce.
Some fish are starting to milt, about a month ahead of the normal track.
Roger had a 12-pounder in a 20-plus fish day.
Wind should become more of a factor in the latter part of March, so pick your days.
