Irvine Lake big cats to 15 pounds continue to chew; bass numbers up. Trout opener slated for October 31, with 20,000 pound stocking due

Catfish action ran along at a fairly even keel this week, perking up a bit on Thursday night. "Thursday night was really good for catfish", reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "Friday and Saturday were a little slower, but the good-size fish were still coming in at a good pace."

Getty added, "The mid-week crowds are very light, and fishing is decent for nice eating-size catfish during the daylight hours. It's the perfect time to get in a relaxing day of fishing."

Most whiskerfish are ranging from 2 to 6 pounds, with a healthy assortment of larger fish to 15 pounds spicing up the stringers. Some very large cats in the "submarine" class are being hooked, but none landed this week.

Best baits for catfish continue to be mackerel, bonito, shrimp, Gulp!, Dumong's and Catmando. Most productive locations are the west shore, Santiago Flats, and near the docks.

Bass anglers are finding good to excellent numbers of fish, with some dedicated bassers reporting the release of 20 or more largemouth per day. Daytime anglers are catching fish on dropshot-rigged plastics at 15 to 18 feet off points. Evening and night-time action has also been good on topwaters. Few large bass have been reported, most are under 4 pounds.

Crappie anglers found good numbers of slabs to 1.5 pounds while drifting with a floating lantern using white or glow Berkley Atomic Teasers. Bluegill and redear action is also very good for anglers offering mealworms or waxworms near the docks. Some carp action was reported by anglers using European techniques.

The Irvine Lake trout season opener will take place on October 31, with some 20,000 pounds of trout being planted for opening day. Irvine Lake will be closed on October 27, 28, 29 and 30, in order to stock the trout and prepare the lake. The Kids Lagoon is currently closed for maintenance, and will re-open for trout season.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

Elaine Dickerhoof of Artesia, 15.0 pound channel catfish on mackerel at the west shore Nick Vega of Garden Grove, 15.0 pound blue catfish on mackerel/Catmando near the dam Ronson "Catman" Smothers of Los Angeles, 12.6 pound blue catfish and 12.4 pound channel catfish on Catmando Baits at mid-lake

Media contacts:
Daniela Gavaldon or Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop [714-649-9111]
Steve Carson at [email protected]