Santa Margarita Lake fishing

Common questions

What fish are at Santa Margarita Lake?

Fishing Santa Margarita Lake is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. The one plant on record is Mixed Trout. Mixed Trout was last stocked December 21, 2025. Largemouth Bass (Northern-strain largemouth bass fishery per SLO County Parks' own fishing page; not part of CDFW's trout stocking record for this lake), Bluegill (Present per SLO County Parks' fishing page for the lake), Redear Sunfish (Present per SLO County Parks' fishing page for the lake), and Crappie (Present per SLO County Parks' fishing page for the lake), plus 2 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Santa Margarita Lake stocked?

Last stocked December 21, 2025. It is stocked once in 2025, most often in December.

How do you get on Santa Margarita Lake?

Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Santa Margarita. Facilities include dock and camping. San Luis Obispo County Parks recreation area about seven miles from Highway 101/58 via Santa Margarita Lake Road. Fish from shore or launch a boat or canoe at the county marina, which has a fish cleaning station and 55 trailer parking spaces.

Which lakes near Santa Margarita Lake were stocked more recently?

Lopez Lake (9.1 mi), Atascadero Lake (14.3 mi), Barney Schwartz Park Lake (23.4 mi), Lake San Antonio (45.4 mi), and River Walk Lake (76 mi) were stocked more recently. Lopez Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout, Atascadero Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout, Barney Schwartz Park Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout, Lake San Antonio is also stocked with Mixed Trout, and River Walk Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout.

How Santa Margarita Lake is stocked

Lopez Lake (9.1 mi), Atascadero Lake (14.3 mi), Barney Schwartz Park Lake (23.4 mi), Lake San Antonio (45.4 mi), and River Walk Lake (76 mi) were stocked more recently. Lopez Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout, Atascadero Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout, Barney Schwartz Park Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout, Lake San Antonio is also stocked with Mixed Trout, and River Walk Lake is also stocked with Mixed Trout.