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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Roger George Roger George of Roger George Guide Service fishes San Luis Reservoir for striped bass and reports for Catch America. What is working right now Striped bass fishing at San Luis Reservoir is slow in November 2025, rated about three out of ten. Fish are suspended mid-level around 40 to 60 feet and hard to activate. Roger George is trolling near 2 mph about 100 feet back over flats to cover water, with only brief topwater boils. The lake sits near 50 percent full and stable. One giant striper over 41 inches and 26.5 pounds came on a Catch America film trip with Cal Kellogg. What is the striped bass bite like at San Luis Reservoir right now?Slow. Roger George rates it about three out of ten in November 2025. The troll bite and shoreline casting have both been sluggish. Fish are scattered, and a full moon plus an incoming storm front are expected to hurt the bite for a few days before possible weather windows open. What depth are the stripers holding at San Luis Reservoir?Many fish are suspended mid-level around 40 to 60 feet and have been hard to reach and hard to get active. Roger sees brief topwater boils here and there, but the fish push up then drop back down quickly and do not stay on top. How is Roger George trolling San Luis Reservoir?He runs about 2 miles per hour, roughly 100 feet back, working over flats where he can mark fish and cover ground. Jigs have been slower than usual. He suspects fish are feeding on shrimp on the bottom rather than shad or the newer silverside minnows. What were the notable catches at San Luis Reservoir?On a Catch America filming trip with Cal Kellogg, angler Robert Barcellos hooked a giant striper that made about four runs over roughly ten minutes. It measured over 41 inches and weighed 26.5 pounds in beautiful shape. What are the lake conditions at San Luis Reservoir?The reservoir holds about 1,050,000 acre-feet, near 50 percent full, with water coming in and going out slowly for a stable situation. Weather is the wild card, with a full moon and a storm front moving through as Roger filed this report. Watch the full report From the report (Roger George): The troll bite and the casting along the shoreline has been fairly slow. A lot of those fish have been suspended down mid-level, around 40 to 60 feet, and they have been hard to get active. Right now the bite overall is about three out of ten. When we finally got that fish up, it was over 41 inches, 26 and a half pounds, beautiful shape. San Luis Reservoir November 2025 FAQ How is striped bass fishing at San Luis Reservoir in November 2025?Slow, rated about three out of ten, with scattered fish and a full moon and storm front working against the bite. How deep are the stripers at San Luis Reservoir?Many are suspended mid-level around 40 to 60 feet and have been hard to get active. What trolling speed works at San Luis Reservoir?Roger George runs about 2 miles per hour, roughly 100 feet back, over flats to cover ground. How full is San Luis Reservoir right now?About 1,050,000 acre-feet, near 50 percent full and stable, with slow inflow and outflow. What was the biggest striper caught in this report?A striped bass over 41 inches and 26.5 pounds, landed on a Catch America film trip with Cal Kellogg. What are the stripers feeding on at San Luis Reservoir?Roger suspects shrimp on the bottom rather than shad or the newer silverside minnows, though that is not confirmed in this report. Is there topwater action at San Luis Reservoir?Only brief boils that come and go. Fish push up then drop back down and do not stay on top. Shop the Tackle Shop All Striped Bass Gear Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan Joaquin Delta Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California angler and a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now San Joaquin Delta stripers are on the move chasing bait in 61 to 62 degree water, ranging from brilliant to frustrating day to day. Fish the last hour of the outgoing and first hour of the incoming tide, and keep plugs clean of the dying weeds. Over at Collins Lake, a hybrid lead-core rig with a bubblegum pink Trix Minnow at 1.8 to 2.2 mph took rainbows to 4 pounds. What is biting in the San Joaquin Delta right now?Striped bass, and the fishing ranges from brilliant to frustrating depending on the day. Capt. Cal Kellogg reports the bass are on the move chasing bait in 61 to 62 degree water. The biggest striper on his boat recently was 44 inches, released safe and sound in the low 30 pound class. When is the best tide for Delta stripers?The bite is most intense during the last hour of the outgoing tide and the first hour of the incoming tide. That tide change is when to focus your effort, since the fish are scattered across a big area and moving day to day. How do the weeds affect Delta fishing?Dying weeds are making it tough. Trolling means constantly cleaning plugs, and anchoring or bait fishing coats your bait with weeds in the current. Keep your presentation clean to get bit while the weeds continue to die off. What is working at Collins Lake for trout?On a kayak trip in wind and rain, Cal caught quality rainbows to about 4 pounds on a hybrid lead-core rig running a bubblegum pink Trix Minnow at 1.8 to 2.2 mph. He caught fish near the dam, the mouth of the Narrows, and off the peninsula. What is the outlook for the Delta and Collins Lake?Delta stripers stay catchable on the tide changes as they chase bait, and the weeds will keep dying off. Collins Lake is producing steady rainbow action. Specific striper lures for the Delta were not specified in this report beyond plugs and bait. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): The striper fishing has been ranging from absolutely brilliant to absolutely frustrating. Water temperature is about 61-62 degrees. The bite is best during the last hour of the tide and the first hour of the tide. At Collins Lake, number one offering, hybrid leadcore rig running the bubblegum pink Trout Trix minnow. Speed, 1.8 to about 2.2. San Joaquin Delta November 2025 FAQ When is the best tide for San Joaquin Delta stripers?The last hour of the outgoing tide and the first hour of the incoming tide. What is the water temperature in the Delta?Around 61 to 62 degrees, keeping the bass on the move chasing bait. What was the biggest striper caught?A 44 inch fish, released safely, in the low 30 pound range. What lure works at Collins Lake?A bubblegum pink Trout Trix Minnow on a hybrid lead-core rig at 1.8 to 2.2 mph. How big are the Collins Lake trout?Quality rainbows up to about 4 pounds. Why is Delta trolling tough right now?Dying weeds constantly foul plugs and bait, so you must keep your presentation clean. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | October 2025
Report by Capt. Roger George Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and is the exclusive State Park guide at San Luis Reservoir, specializing in trophy stripers over 20 pounds. What is working right now Striper fishing at San Luis Reservoir is slow through the October 2025 full moon and likely stays that way for the rest of the week. The lake is stable near 50 percent, about 1.1 million acre-feet. Troll the 50 to 70 foot range at about 2.2 mph with 5 to 6 inch plugs run 100 to 120 feet behind the boat. Stripers are chasing faster baits right now, so speed your presentation up. What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?Striped bass are the target and the bite is fairly slow, tied to the full moon. Capt. Roger George expects it to stay slow for the rest of the week. The lake has stabilized near 50 percent capacity, roughly 1.1 million acre-feet, with steady inflow helping pattern the fish. What depth are stripers holding at San Luis Reservoir?Troll the 50, 60, and 70 foot range, which has been most productive. Run your lures 100 to 120 feet behind the boat at about 2.2 mph. Stable water levels and settling temperatures are helping keep the fish patterned in that band right now. What lures are working for San Luis stripers?Run 5 to 6 inch plugs such as Rapala, Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Yo-Zuri baits, plus Missouri minnows, 100 to 120 feet back at 2.2 mph. Catch America does not carry these plugs, so match the size and profile from your own box. Speeding up the retrieve is paying off. How should I present baits for stripers right now?Work plugs and jigs faster than usual. Roger George says the stripers are chasing everything, so match that faster action and speed your presentation up. Keep baits 100 to 120 feet behind the boat around 2.2 mph in the 50 to 70 foot zone. When is the best striper bite around the full moon?The best window is three to four days before a full moon, and the day of the full moon can be good too. The days right after tend to slow down, since the stripers have fed and sit suspended for a couple of days. Fish the front side of the moon. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Roger George): The fishing has been fairly slow, and it is going to continue probably for the rest of the week with this full moon. As far as trolling, the 50, 60, 70 foot range has been good. I usually get back about 100, 120 feet behind the boat with things like Rapalas, Lucky Craft, Smithwick, Yo-Zuri, a lot of those five, six inch lures at about 2.2 miles per hour. They are chasing everything right now, so going faster might just serve you well. San Luis Reservoir October 2025 FAQ Why is striper fishing slow at San Luis Reservoir this week?A full moon phase is slowing the bite, and Roger George expects it to stay slow for the rest of the week. Stripers tend to feed hard before the full moon and then sit suspended for a couple of days after. What is the water level at San Luis Reservoir right now?The lake is right around 1.1 million acre-feet, about 50 percent capacity, and starting to stabilize with only a couple of inches of change per day, which helps pattern the fish. What trolling speed works for San Luis stripers?About 2.2 mph, with lures run 100 to 120 feet behind the boat. Roger George also suggests working plugs and jigs faster right now, since the stripers are chasing faster baits. What depth should I troll for stripers at San Luis?The 50, 60, and 70 foot range has been most productive this week. What size lures for San Luis stripers?Five to six inch plugs like Rapala, Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Yo-Zuri, plus Missouri minnows. These are not Catch America products, so match the profile from your own gear. When is the best time to fish around a full moon for stripers?Three to four days before the full moon, and often the day of the full moon. The days after usually fish poorly for stripers. Who guides San Luis Reservoir?Capt. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service, the exclusive State Park guide at San Luis, with over 12 years on the lake targeting trophy stripers. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 29, 2025
Report by Roger George Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and fishes San Luis Reservoir for striped bass. What is working right now 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 From the report (Roger George): The level of the lake right now is about 83 feet from the top, so it's about 51%. We're covering a lot of new area as the lake spreads out. Lately, the fish have been holding pretty much out in the main lake. Sometimes they can be shallow, 30, 40 feet, but a lot of them are hanging out near deeper water, on points, on structure. Overall, the bite has been just like a three out of 10. San Luis Reservoir September 29, 2025 FAQ How would the guide rate San Luis striper fishing right now?About a three out of ten, per Roger George. Numbers are slow for every method. What percent full is San Luis Reservoir?About 51 percent, roughly 83 feet down from the top, and rising a foot or more per day. What depth are San Luis stripers holding?Sometimes shallow at 30 to 40 feet, but often near deeper water on points and structure. How big are the stripers being caught?Big fish are around, including a 38-inch striper of about 23 pounds released by Roger George. How should I release a big striper at San Luis?Quickly. Use a release tool like a Seaqualizer to vent the bladder and return the fish to depth fast. What lures is Roger George using?Specific lures and colors were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan 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. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan Joaquin Delta Fishing Report | September 22, 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a veteran Catch America captain who guides Delta stripers and high-mountain trout. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now Delta striper fishing is steady out of the B&W Resort Marina in late September 2025, on bait, on the troll, and casting, with weeds still a challenge. Sturgeon were seen jumping off Three Mile Slough. At Lake Davis, Capt. Cal Kellogg top-lined a beautiful rainbow on a gold micro Trigger Spoon and got another on a prototype Trix Minnow XL. How is Delta striper fishing right now?Steady out of the B&W Resort Marina. Capt. Cal Kellogg is getting stripers on bait, on the troll, and casting. Weeds continue to be a challenge, but conditions improve every week as more fish push into the system. Put your time in and you will get nice stripers. Were there sturgeon on the San Joaquin?Yes. Cal saw sturgeon jumping right outside the mouth of Three Mile Slough, which is not something you see every day in that area. It is more typically a west-side and Suisun Bay behavior, so it was an exciting sight while running the Delta. What is working at Lake Davis for trout?During a big bug hatch that had trout feeding all around, Cal top-lined a beautiful high-mountain rainbow on a gold micro Trigger Spoon. Later he got one on his prototype Trix Minnow XL, a 2-inch pattern bait the trout jumped all over. Water was a perfect 66 degrees at dawn. How should I present lures at Lake Davis?Top-line a gold micro Trigger Spoon near the surface during morning bug hatches, staying mobile with a kayak to reach feeding fish. A small 2-inch Trix Minnow XL pattern also drew hard strikes. Match the small profile to the hatch the trout are keyed on. What is the outlook for the Delta and Lake Davis?Cal expects both fisheries to keep improving through October. Delta stripers should get more numerous as more fish enter the system, and the high-mountain trout bite should build into fall. Specific striper depths were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Delta striper fishing, it's steady out there, out of the B&W Resort Marina. We're getting them on bait, on the troll, and casting. I managed to get one beautiful rainbow on a micro Trigger Spoon in the gold color. Just top-lining it. And then later on, I got one on my new prototype bait, the Trout Tricks Minnow XL. San Joaquin Delta September 22, 2025 FAQ How is Delta striper fishing in late September?Steady out of the B&W Resort Marina on bait, troll, and casting, though weeds remain a challenge. What lure caught the Lake Davis rainbow?A gold micro Trigger Spoon, top-lined during a morning bug hatch. What water temperature was Lake Davis?A perfect 66 degrees at dawn with calm conditions. What is the Trix Minnow XL?A 2-inch pattern soft bait that produced a Lake Davis rainbow, which Cal was prototyping. Were sturgeon active on the San Joaquin?Sturgeon were seen jumping just outside the mouth of Three Mile Slough, which is uncommon there. What depth are Delta stripers holding?Specific striper depths were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle Trigger Spoon Trix Minnow XL 5 Pack Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreSan Joaquin Delta Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a veteran Northern California trout and striper guide and a Catch America captain. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now The California Delta is producing enthusiastic striped bass and fun-sized largemouth in mid-September 2025. Capt. Cal Kellogg fished a hot morning session, dropping spoons on marks for stripers and getting largemouth on vibrating crankbaits out of the weeds. Big plugs drew a topwater follow but no hookup. Up high, Lake Davis is kicking off its fall trout bite on small orange spoons. How is the fishing on the California Delta right now?Good on a short morning session. Capt. Cal Kellogg threw big swimbaits and topwaters first and drew a huge topwater follow that never committed. Once the sun climbed, he dropped spoons on marks and got enthusiastic, though undersized, stripers, plus fun-sized largemouth on vibrating crankbaits. What lures are working on the Delta?A mix. Large plugs, big swimbaits, and big topwaters drew interest early. When the sun got high, spoons dropped on marks produced stripers. Smaller swimbaits did not produce, but vibrating crankbaits got slapped by largemouth bass rushing out of the weeds. The keeper-size fish were tougher to find. How is the Lake Davis fall trout bite starting?Kicking off. Cooler nights and shorter days have anglers getting early limits at Lake Davis, with some slow days mixed in. They are trolling the top 10 feet with small orange and chrome spoons, an Orange Trigger Spoon Junior, plus tui chub tube flies, small orange flies, and soft plastics. When does Collins Lake trout fishing start up?Trout plants begin around Halloween. Cal is booking Collins Lake trips starting November 15, and says there are still hundreds of holdover trout from last year's plants. Once the surface temperature drops and stocking resumes, he expects productive fishing there all fall through spring. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): I was committed this morning to throwing really large plugs: big swimbaits, big topwaters. I got a huge follow on a topwater bait, but he never committed. When the sun got high, I started dropping spoons on some marks. I got stripers on those marks. Those vibrating crankbaits were getting slapped around by the largemouth bass. At Lake Davis, they're trolling the top 10 feet with small orange and chrome spoons. Think Orange Trigger Spoon Junior. California Delta September 15, 2025 FAQ What is biting on the California Delta in September 2025?Striped bass on spoons and fun-sized largemouth bass on vibrating crankbaits, per Capt. Cal Kellogg. What lures work for Delta stripers right now?Spoons dropped on marks once the sun is high, after big plugs draw early interest. What got the largemouth bass on the Delta?Vibrating crankbaits worked near the weeds, where the bass rushed out to grab them. What is working at Lake Davis for fall trout?Trolling the top 10 feet with small orange and chrome spoons like the Orange Trigger Spoon Junior, plus tube flies. When can I book Collins Lake trout trips with Cal?Starting November 15, with trout plants beginning around Halloween. Were the Delta stripers keepers?No. Cal says the stripers were enthusiastic but not keepers on this trip. Shop the Tackle Junior Trigger Spoon 1.25 inch Shop Kellogg's Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | September 15, 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 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 From the report (Capt. Roger George): The fishing here has been moderate to slow. We had a full moon last week that slowed things down. We caught both of them on Rapalas, and they are basically shad colors, about 100 to 120 feet back behind the boat, and about 2 miles an hour. 60 to 70 feet has been the main depth we have been focusing on. San Luis Reservoir September 15, 2025 FAQ How is the San Luis striper bite in mid-September?Moderate to slow, rated about a 2 out of 10, after a full moon and shifting temperatures. What lure is working at San Luis Reservoir?Rapalas in shad colors, with topwater rip baits in short windows. How deep should you troll San Luis?About 60 to 70 feet deep, 100 to 120 feet back at 2 mph. How big are the San Luis stripers?The average is around 20 to 21 inches, with a fish over 26 inches caught this trip. What is the San Luis water level?About 920,000 acre-feet and rising a half to three-quarters of a foot a day. What is the San Luis water temperature?Around 80 degrees on the surface, with thick algae limiting visibility. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan 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. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
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