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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 22, 2025

Report by Roger George
Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and targets striped bass on San Luis Reservoir.
What is working right now

San Luis Reservoir striper fishing has been tough and on-again, off-again in late September 2025, with wind, temperature swings, and rising water moving fish daily. Work spoons and jigs on schools around 70 to 80 feet, or troll 5 to 7 inch stick baits 120 feet back on a downrigger at 2.2 to 2.5 mph. Roger George put one client on an 18.5-pound striper.

How is San Luis Reservoir fishing right now?

Tough. Numbers are hard to come by as the reservoir moves into fall. Wind, rising water temperatures, and incoming water have the striper bite on again, off again. Roger George rates it about a two or three out of ten, so be ready to search and cover ground to find fish.

What depth are San Luis stripers holding?

Fish are being worked around 70 to 80 feet on schools, with the day's better striper coming from about 70 feet. Coves are starting to become more defined and fish are moving in, but the main lake is where most anglers are focusing right now.

What lures and trolling setup work at San Luis?

Use spoons and jigs on schools, with 1-ounce dust-style spoons working well. For trolling, run 5 to 7 inch lures like Rapala, Smithwick, and Yo-Zuri, either jointed or straight stick baits, about 120 feet behind the boat on a downrigger at 2.2 to 2.5 mph on 20 to 25 pound mono. These are not Catch America products.

How big are the San Luis stripers?

Quality is there when you find them. Roger's group landed an 18.5-pound, 36.5-inch striper working about 70 feet, plus another near 30 inches at right around 10 pounds. It took a lot of work and moving from spot to spot to earn those fish.

What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?

Roger expects fall to become an awesome time once conditions stabilize. For now the lake is changing almost daily, so plan to search. Water temperatures were 72 in the morning rising to 75 to 76 degrees. The lake was taking on water on and off.

Watch the full report

From the report (Roger George): The bite at San Luis has been difficult. Numbers have been hard to come by. We ended up with an 18.5 lb, beautiful 36.5-inch striper that we got working about 70 feet. I'm running them about 120 feet behind the boat on the downrigger at about 2.2 mph, using 20-25 lb test monofilament.

San Luis Reservoir September 22, 2025 FAQ

How deep are San Luis Reservoir stripers?

Around 70 to 80 feet on schools, with the better fish from about 70 feet.

What trolling speed works at San Luis?

About 2.2 to 2.5 mph, with lures 120 feet behind the boat on a downrigger.

How big were the San Luis stripers this week?

An 18.5-pound, 36.5-inch striper plus another close to 10 pounds.

What water temperature is San Luis Reservoir?

About 72 degrees in the morning, rising to 75 to 76 degrees.

What line does Roger use for San Luis stripers?

20 to 25 pound test monofilament.

Where are the fish holding at San Luis now?

Mostly the main lake, with fish starting to move into more defined coves.

Tags: roger-george san-luis-reservoir striped-bass
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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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