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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 8, 2025

Report by Capt. 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 has improved slightly in early September 2025 despite a full moon, with heavy inflow raising the lake 0.75 to 1 foot a day. Look for topwater boils in the coves early, then troll shad-colored lures like a Lucky Craft or Smithwick at 2.2 mph, 100 to 120 feet back, 60 to 80 feet deep. Roger George scouted 10 fish to 24 inches trolling.

How is San Luis Reservoir fishing right now?

Slightly improved. Roger George says the bite got a little better despite a full moon. He scouted 10 fish to 24 inches trolling on a solo trip. Rip baits and swimbaits are also producing some fish, and there is topwater action in the coves in the morning.

How do you troll for San Luis stripers?

Run shad-type lures like a Lucky Craft or Smithwick in shad colors at about 2.2 mph, 100 to 120 feet back off the downrigger. Target 60 to 80 feet deep in the main lake and cover ground, since the fish are moving a lot and you have to find them.

Where are the stripers holding at San Luis?

Back in coves and new flooded areas. With heavy inflow raising the lake 0.75 to 1 foot a day, minnows push into fresh shallow cover and stripers follow. Anglers fishing back in the coves report seeing a lot of fish.

What are the water conditions at San Luis?

They are pumping in 6,000 to 9,000 acre-feet a day, so the lake is rising fast and covering new territory. Algae is getting thick with only 6 to 18 inches of visibility, and windy mornings with fog make for shifting conditions.

What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?

Roger rates the bite a 3, maybe a 4 on some days. He expects it to improve after the full moon as temperatures stabilize and the rising water spreads bait and stripers into new coves.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Roger George): The bite has improved a little bit, in spite of the fact that we have a full moon going on right now. Running shad-type lures, Lucky Craft, Smithwick, those types of things in shad colors, and I run them about 2.2 mph, about 100, 120 feet back. I ended up with 10 fish up to 24 inches trolling. The lake is coming up anywhere from three-quarters of a foot to a foot a day.

San Luis Reservoir September 8, 2025 FAQ

How is the striper bite at San Luis Reservoir?

Slightly improved, rated a 3 to 4 out of 10, with better days expected after the full moon.

What lures work for San Luis stripers?

Shad-colored trolling lures like a Lucky Craft or Smithwick, plus rip baits and swimbaits.

How deep and fast should you troll San Luis?

About 60 to 80 feet deep at 2.2 mph, 100 to 120 feet back off the downrigger.

Where are San Luis stripers holding?

Back in coves and newly flooded areas where minnows are moving as the lake rises.

How fast is San Luis Reservoir rising?

About 0.75 to 1 foot a day on 6,000 to 9,000 acre-feet of daily inflow.

What is the water clarity at San Luis?

Algae is thick, with only about 6 to 18 inches of visibility in most areas.

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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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