Lake Nacimiento
San Luis Obispo County Bass, Carp, Catfish, Crappie
29 Share

Lake Nacimiento Fishing Overview

Water Description

If you are looking to catch white bass and do so frequently, Lake Nacimiento is the lake for you. Nacimiento has one of the highest cast-to-fish catch ratios in the state for white bass, though the goal here is the number of fish, not the size. Spanning over 5,000 acres and offering a staggering 165 miles of shoreline, Lake Nacimiento nestles in the coastal foothills of San Luis Obispo. Its intricate arms and tucked-away coves create an ideal environment for warm-water fish species. While Lake Nacimiento is known for its white bass... spotted...

If you are looking to catch white bass and do so frequently, Lake Nacimiento is the lake for you. Nacimiento has one of the highest cast-to-fish catch ratios in the state for white bass, though the goal here is the number of fish, not the size.

Spanning over 5,000 acres and offering a staggering 165 miles of shoreline, Lake Nacimiento nestles in the coastal foothills of San Luis Obispo. Its intricate arms and tucked-away coves create an ideal environment for warm-water fish species.

While Lake Nacimiento is known for its white bass... spotted, smallmouth, and largemouth bass populations are also quite substantial. The bass fishery is solid enough to hold 25+ fishing tournaments a year.

But don't overlook the potential of bottom feeding here. The catfish and carp in Lake Nacimiento have the potential to reach impressive sizes. To maximize your chances, early mornings and late evenings are the prime times to tempt these behemoths.

Species:
White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Carp
Forage / Baitfish:
Shad
Boating / Access:
Open to all boating except houseboats
Regulations:
Quagga Mussel Inspection
Geography:
Max Depth: 200 ft
Surface Area: 5,370 acres
Surface Elevation: 984 ft
Sign up free to get notified of new Lake Nacimiento fishing reports.Sign Up

Latest Fishing Reports

Good Largemouth Bass bite
Bass, White Bass, Catfish
49°F

Bass at Lake Nacimiento are spread across a wide range of depths, from shallow zones around 10-15 feet to deeper structure at 35 feet. The jig bite has been solid, with black and blue ¾ oz football jigs producing well, especially around rocky areas. Bigger bass are holding onto the jigs longer, while smaller ones tend to pick up and drop them...

Bass at Lake Nacimiento are spread across a wide range of depths, from shallow zones around 10-15 feet to deeper structure at 35 feet. The jig bite has been solid, with black and blue ¾ oz football jigs producing well, especially around rocky areas. Bigger bass are holding onto the jigs longer, while smaller ones tend to pick up and drop them quickly. Dropshots and ned rigs are also pulling in fish.

White bass are being caught near shad schools on spoons and spinners. Catfish are still being caught as well.

5 anglers found this report useful
Share
Excellent Bass bite
Bass, Catfish, Crappie

The lake is dropping, but the bass are still biting. Like most California bass lakes right now, shad are the main forage, and Nacimiento is no exception. A-rigs, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits in shad colors are working best. The fish aren’t huge, but there’s plenty of action. Some topwater blowups are possible, but most of the shad schools are...

The lake is dropping, but the bass are still biting. Like most California bass lakes right now, shad are the main forage, and Nacimiento is no exception. A-rigs, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits in shad colors are working best. The fish aren’t huge, but there’s plenty of action. Some topwater blowups are possible, but most of the shad schools are holding deeper than 15 feet, so focus your efforts there. Dropshotting grubs has also been successful.

Catfish are biting on chicken livers and shrimp. Bluegill are in the shallows, and a few folks are still finding a decent crappie bite.

7 anglers found this report useful
Share

Other Nearby Reports

Santa Margarita’s bass bite is waking up as water temps ease into the high 50s. Fish are clearly staging for prespawn with tight shallow schools and big bellies. Slowly worked...

Looks like they planted around the 22nd of January. 01/29/2025 at 1 pm. Fish bite was good. My brother and I caught our limit in about an hour and half. Used Power bait green.

Lake Nacimiento Weather

Loading Weather...

Guides & Tackle Shops

Lake Nacimiento Map

29 Share

Nearby Lakes & Rivers

Last report: 9 months ago
20 Followers
Bass, Catfish, Crappie
Last report: 5 months ago
Trout stocking: 1 month ago
27 Followers
Flyfisherman background image

Join FishCaddy Free!

Get local fishing updates & receive our weekly NorCal or SoCal digest.

Sign Up