San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 29, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Some shallow at 30 to 40 feet; many holding near deeper water along points and structure
Presentation
Cover water and target fish near deeper structure and points. Trolling, jigging, topwater, and bait have all produced a few fish, though nothing has been fast. Staying mobile to locate active fish has been the key.
Lures and baits
No single lure stood out this week, as the slow bite spread across every method. Match your presentation from the striped bass collection and focus on deeper structure.
Other techniques
Trolling, jigging, topwater, and bait fishing all produced a few fish
Water clarity
Algae still fairly high
Water level
Rising fast, about a foot to a foot and a quarter per day; inflows up to 12,000 acre-feet on the biggest days; around 51 percent, about 83 feet from the top
Advice for this week
If you land a big fish from deep water, release it fast with a descending tool. Vent the bladder and get it back down to depth quickly so it swims off strong. A Seaqualizer makes this easy.
What is changing
Water rising fast (roughly a foot to a foot and a quarter per day, inflows up to 12,000 acre-feet on the biggest days); algae still fairly high; rising water flooding new foliage that draws minnows and stripers; fish scattered as the lake spreads out.
Next week
As the lake stabilizes and cools into fall, the striper bite should improve. For now, expect to work hard for a few quality fish.
Notable catch
One guest fought a 38 inch striper that weighed just over 23 pounds before a healthy release.
San Luis Reservoir striper fishing is slow in late September 2025, rated about 3 out of 10 by Roger George. The lake is rising a foot or more a day and sits at 51 percent, spreading fish over new water. Stripers are mainly in the main lake, sometimes shallow at 30 to 40 feet, but often near deeper water, points, and structure. Big fish are around, including a 38-inch, 23-pound release.
How is the striper bite at San Luis Reservoir right now?
Slow, rated about 3 out of 10 by Roger George. Numbers have been tough for trollers, jiggers, topwater anglers, and bait fishermen alike. The biggest challenge is simply finding the fish this year.
Where are the stripers holding at San Luis Reservoir?
Mostly out in the main lake. They can be shallow at 30 to 40 feet, but a lot are hanging near deeper water, on points, and on structure. Those deeper edges have been working better.
Why is San Luis so hard to fish right now?
The lake is rising a foot to a foot and a quarter a day and sits around 51 percent, covering foliage and new areas. That draws minnows and scatters the stripers. Algae is still fairly high, making the fish hard to locate.
Are there still big stripers at San Luis Reservoir?
Yes. Roger George landed a 38-inch striper weighing about 23 pounds, released on a Seaqualizer. Vent the fish and get it back to depth quickly to release it healthy. Numbers are down, but quality fish are there.
What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?
Roger George hopes the bite improves as the fall cool-down sets in, which is what striper fishing is usually known for. For now it is a grind and a hunt every trip.
Watch the full report
San Luis Reservoir September 29, 2025 FAQ
About a three out of ten, per Roger George. Numbers are slow for every method.
About 51 percent, roughly 83 feet down from the top, and rising a foot or more per day.
Sometimes shallow at 30 to 40 feet, but often near deeper water on points and structure.
Big fish are around, including a 38-inch striper of about 23 pounds released by Roger George.
Quickly. Use a release tool like a Seaqualizer to vent the bladder and return the fish to depth fast.
Specific lures and colors were not specified in this report.
