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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | May 2026

Report by Roger George
Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and reports on San Luis Reservoir for Catch America.
What is working right now

San Luis Reservoir is changing fast in May 2026. Roger George reports the water falling nearly a foot a day and warming toward 80 degrees, with stripers mid-spawn and more focused on spawning than eating. Trolling to find roaming groups is the play. Fish small spoons and small jigs in bright colors like white through the thickening algae, anywhere from 20 to 80 feet down.

How is the fishing at San Luis Reservoir right now?

Challenging. Roger George says the stripers are mid-spawn since the last full moon and more focused on spawning than eating, so finding an active group willing to feed is harder than normal. The water is falling nearly a foot a day and heat is building, both pushing fish around.

Where are the stripers holding at San Luis?

Out deeper and off structure. Roger says as the water falls, fish move out into the main lake, sometimes in the middle of nowhere, rather than loading up on points, islands, or cuts. That makes them tougher to find, so covering water is key right now.

What lures and colors work at San Luis Reservoir?

Small spoons and small jigs are a good way to target fish as you troll. With algae getting thick and visibility dropping, Roger recommends brighter colors that stand out, like white. Silver can still work too. Fish them anywhere from 20 or 30 feet down to 50, 60, 70, or 80 feet.

What presentation does Roger recommend at San Luis?

Trolling. Because the spawning fish are roaming and moving quickly, trolling is a better tactic than sitting on structure to locate scattered groups. Water temperature is climbing back toward 80 degrees after a recent reading of 68, and the shad are spawning up on top when it is calm.

Watch the full report

From the report (Roger George): The water is starting to fall, up to a foot a day. We're also in the middle of a milt and spawning period. These fish are more focused on spawning than they are probably eating right now. Trolling may be a better tactic to try to find these groups of fish. You might want to go to colors that are a little brighter, that stand out in algae, like white. Spoons, small spoons, small jigs are another way to target fish.

San Luis Reservoir May 2026 FAQ

What is biting at San Luis Reservoir in May 2026?

Striped bass, though they are mid-spawn and tougher to tempt, per Roger George.

What depth are San Luis stripers holding?

Anywhere from 20 or 30 feet down to 50, 60, 70, or 80 feet, out in the main lake.

What lure colors work at San Luis right now?

Brighter colors like white that stand out through thick algae, with silver also working.

What is the water temperature at San Luis Reservoir?

Climbing back toward 80 degrees after a recent reading of 68.

Is trolling or structure fishing better at San Luis now?

Trolling, to find roaming spawning fish that are off structure.

Why is the San Luis water clarity dropping?

Algae is getting thick and wind mixes it into the water, cutting visibility.

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    San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

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