Fishing near Santa Maria, California
Santa Barbara County, population 109,707.
- 19 milesto nearest lake
- 0launches nearby
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lopez Lake: Konrad Summers from Santa Clarita (Valencia) , California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Getting on the water from Santa Maria
Santa Maria, in Santa Barbara County, had 109,707 residents in 2020. Lopez Lake is the nearest CDFW lake, roughly 19 miles north.
Try Pismo Beach Pier, a public pier 18 miles away.
Reservoirs near Santa Maria
- Lopez Lake19 miles north, 950 acres
- Laguna Lake, San Luis Obispo County27 miles northwest
- Santa Margarita Lake27 miles north, 800 acres
- Lake Cachuma37 miles southeast, 3,167 acres
- Silver Lake, San Luis Obispo County38 miles north
- Atascadero Lake39 miles north, 30 acres
Lake species around Santa Maria
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Black bass | 4 |
| Catfish | 4 |
| Hatchery trout | 4 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 4 |
| Striped bass | 1 |
Access around Santa Maria
Closest named ramps to Santa Maria
- Lopez Lake Regional Park Boat Launch FacilityLopez Lake, 18 miles north
- Lopez Lake – Mallard CoveLopez Lake, 18 miles north
- Port San Luis Harbor Mooring FieldPort San Luis Harbor, 24 miles northwest
- Port San Luis Boat Launch FacilityPort San Luis Harbor, 24 miles northwest
- Port Side MarinePort San Luis Harbor, 24 miles northwest
Straight line distances from the Census point for Santa Maria.
Salt water near Santa Maria
Public piers near Santa Maria
- Pismo Beach Pierpier, 18 miles
- Port San Luis Breakwaterbreakwater, 23 miles
- Avila Pierpier, 24 miles
- Harford Pier, Port San Luispier, 24 miles
Harbors and bays by Santa Maria
- San Luis Obispo Bay23 miles
Stream gauges near Santa Maria
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria R A Suey Crossing Nr Santa Maria Ca | 0 cfs, 9.41 ft gage height | Oct 12 4:30 pm |
| Orcutt C Nr Orcutt Ca | 0 cfs, 1.86 ft gage height | Oct 12 4:30 pm |
| Sisquoc R Nr Garey | 0 cfs, 6.26 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Tackle and charters near Santa Maria
Where to stock up near Santa Maria
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #114sporting goods store, Santa Maria, 1 mile
- DICK'S Sporting Goods #1336sporting goods store, Santa Maria, 1 mile
- Turner's Outdoorsman #29sporting goods store, Santa Maria, 3 miles
License counters by Santa Maria
- Walmart Store #2507department store, 2 miles
- Guadalupe Hardwarelicense agent, 8 miles
Stocked water close to Santa Maria
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lopez Lake | 19 miles | 3 | 2026-03-08 |
| Santa Margarita Lake | 27 miles | 1 | 2025-12-21 |
| Atascadero Lake | 39 miles | 5 | 2026-03-22 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
Inland limits for Santa Maria anglers
The district for inland water near Santa Maria is the Southern District.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
The ground around Santa Maria
Towns ringing Santa Maria
- Pismo Beach20 miles
- Avila Beach24 miles
- Morro Bay38 miles
- Cayucos43 miles
Counties holding Santa Maria
- Santa Barbara Countyseat: Santa Barbara
The fish of Santa Maria
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Maitegonza, CC BY-SA 4.0
Questions from Santa Maria anglers
How many miles to a CDFW lake from Santa Maria?
Lopez Lake, 19 miles north.
Is a launch ramp close to Santa Maria?
None within 15 miles.
Which public pier can I fish near Santa Maria?
Pismo Beach Pier, 18 miles away, needs no license.
Does Santa Maria have a bait counter?
Big 5 Sporting Goods #114, the closest shop.
Who runs guided trips in Santa Maria?
None list Santa Maria; see the county page.
Which California county contains Santa Maria?
Santa Barbara County; see its page.
Can I fish everywhere near Santa Maria?
None within 15 miles.
Is a stream within reach of Santa Maria?
No river page close by.
How much is a day license near Santa Maria?
From age 16 a license is needed; a one-day license is $21.09 and two days $32.4.