San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 1, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Trolling best in the 60 to 80 foot range; early topwater in the coves near the surface.
Presentation
Early topwater and soft bait along the shore in the coves. Troll the 60 to 80 foot zone through the day and work a jig for extra fish. Rip baits along the bank early can also draw strikes.
Lures and baits
Topwater plugs and rip baits early, trolled plugs through the mid-depths, and jigs when the troll slowed. Match the shad the stripers were chasing; deeper fish will also take trolling and jigging spoons.
Best time
Early, on calm low-wind mornings.
Water clarity
Algae thickening with the heat, expected to worsen.
Water level
About 850,000 acre-feet, roughly 40 percent full, and creeping up a little each day.
Weather
Wind a constant factor, blowing early and building again later in the day.
Advice for this week
Do not just fish spots where you mark bait. Roger stressed finding active fish that will respond. If they are not biting, move on and come back later when they fire up. Calm, low-wind mornings give you the best window.
What is changing
Rising water spread into fresh areas and pulled bait and stripers toward the shorelines. Heat thickened the algae, and it looked to get worse over the following weeks.
Next week
With the lake slowly rising and fish spreading into fresh water, Roger expected the pattern to improve over the next week or two. Stable water helps pattern the fish, so conditions were trending the right way.
San Luis Reservoir stripers are on the move chasing bait as the lake rises to about 850,000 acre-feet, roughly 40 percent full. Look for early topwater in the coves, then troll the 60 to 80 foot zone where you will run into the most fish. Thick algae and constant wind are shifting the bite, so scout and fish safe.
What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?
Stripers are the target and the bite has been up and down. Capt. Roger George rates it about a three to four out of ten. The lake has come up to 850,000 acre-feet, near 40 percent full, spreading fish into new shoreline areas where minnows and stripers are moving.
What depth are the stripers holding at San Luis Reservoir?
The troll fish are running the regular 60 to 80 foot range, which is where you will bump into the most fish. You still have to hunt for them and find the exact depth they want that day, so watch your electronics and stay mobile.
What techniques are working at San Luis Reservoir?
Early topwater and ripbait fishing along shoreline coves can be good, but you have to be out there early and it only lasts a while. Trolling the 60 to 80 foot band produces, and a few fish are coming on the jig. Mostly school-size fish, not many big ones right now.
How are conditions at San Luis Reservoir?
Heat has thickened the algae considerably and it will likely get thicker over the next couple weeks, changing the bite. Wind has been constant, blowing early and again later in the day. Check wind reports, be cautious, and take your time getting back in if it kicks up.
What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?
Roger thinks the topwater school-fish action may improve over the next week or so as the lake keeps rising. A limit is very possible right now if you know the water and time it well. He rates it a three, maybe a four out of ten. Specific lures were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
San Luis Reservoir September 1, 2025 FAQ
The regular 60 to 80 foot range is where you will run into the most trolling fish.
Yes, early topwater and ripbait along shoreline coves can be good, but it is mostly school-size fish and the window is short.
About 850,000 acre-feet, roughly 40 percent full, and coming up a little each day.
Thickening algae from the heat and constant early and afternoon wind are both changing the bite.
About a three, maybe a four out of ten for this week.
Mostly school fish right now, without a lot of big fish in the topwater action.
