San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
About 60 to 70 feet has been the main depth in the main lake.
Presentation
Troll shad colored lures 100 to 120 feet behind the boat at 2 mph. Topwater rip baits work in small windows. Be ready to cover water to locate active fish.
Lures and baits
Shad colored Rapalas (not Catch America products)
Best time
Early morning and late afternoon, for boils in the coves
Water temperature
Surface temps near 80 degrees
Water clarity
Thick algae, visibility near zero in spots
Water level
About 920,000 acre feet and rising a half to three quarters of a foot a day.
Advice for this week
Cover ground, focus on the main lake, and check the coves early morning and late afternoon for boils.
What is changing
A full moon and up and down temperatures slowed the bite. The lake is up to about 920,000 acre feet and rising a half to three quarters of a foot a day. Algae is thick, dropping visibility to near zero in spots.
Next week
The bite should pick up as the water stabilizes and temperatures settle.
Notable catch
The best fish came over 26 inches, with the average around 20 to 21 inches.
San Luis Reservoir is moderate to slow in mid-September 2025 after a full moon and up-and-down temperatures. The lake is up to about 920,000 acre-feet and rising. Troll Rapalas in shad colors 100 to 120 feet behind the boat at 2 mph, targeting 60 to 70 feet deep. Roger George's buddy caught a striper over 26 inches, with the average fish still around 20 to 21 inches.
How is San Luis Reservoir fishing right now?
Moderate to slow. Roger George says the full moon and up-and-down temperatures slowed the bite. Trolling took all day to find fish, but his buddy Sonny landed a nice striper over 26 inches, and they boated a couple more. The average fish is still 20 to 21 inches.
What lures are working at San Luis Reservoir?
Rapalas in shad colors are producing the trolling fish. Topwater rip baits work in small windows when you find them, but the overall bite is slow. Covering ground to locate active fish has been the key this week.
How deep and fast should you troll San Luis?
Roger runs about 100 to 120 feet behind the boat at 2 mph, focusing on 60 to 70 feet deep in the main lake. That main-lake trolling program has produced his best success, with occasional cove boils early and late.
What are the San Luis water conditions?
The lake is up to about 920,000 acre-feet and rising a half to three-quarters of a foot a day. Surface temperatures are up to 80 degrees, and thick algae drops visibility to nearly zero in some areas, which will affect fishing next week.
What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?
Roger rates the bite about a 2 out of 10 right now. He hopes stabilizing temperatures and rising water will improve it. Come ready to cover ground, find the fish, and then target them.
Watch the full report
San Luis Reservoir September 15, 2025 FAQ
Moderate to slow, rated about a 2 out of 10, after a full moon and shifting temperatures.
Rapalas in shad colors, with topwater rip baits in short windows.
About 60 to 70 feet deep, 100 to 120 feet back at 2 mph.
The average is around 20 to 21 inches, with a fish over 26 inches caught this trip.
About 920,000 acre-feet and rising a half to three-quarters of a foot a day.
Around 80 degrees on the surface, with thick algae limiting visibility.
