Fishing San Luis Reservoir in Merced County, California

• Overview

  San Luis Reservoir is listed under Merced County, California. Pine and hardwood runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to some 20.0 sq miles, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. The outline is heavily broken, with arms and bays reaching well back from the main body. By surface area it heads our Merced County listings. Los Banos lies 15 miles from the water. Gustine is 15 miles away, with Newman at 19 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on San Luis Reservoir

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Merced County include common carp, striped bass, Sacramento sucker, bluegill and channel catfish. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On San Luis Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 75°F, while January sits near 47°F. Cooler months are the productive ones on most of this water. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to San Luis Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The water borders San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, so reserve rules are likely to apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Mammoth Lake is 4 miles distant. Confirm before you fish San Luis Reservoir.