Irvine Lake lunker trout go on rampage, 17-0 whopper tops catches

The special stocking of big fish at Irvine Lake last week paid off big time, and the largest trout in several years was not even entered in the holiday derby, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The biggest fish were biting early in the morning, and then from 10:00 AM to Noon not much was happening", observed Getty. "In the afternoon, the overall action was decent, with a lot of smaller fish up to 8 pounds. We had a 17-0 rainbow caught by an angler who did not enter the holiday derby, which was the largest trout here in at least the last 5 years."

Getty added, "We had a lot of people that reported hooking very big fish, but lost them for various reasons. It pays to be ready!"

Slightly murky conditions meant that the most successful anglers went with bright colors on both baits and trolled lures, with heavy application of Gulp! Alive Garlic Spray or other strong attractants helping immensely.

Bait anglers did well with either Power Mouse or Gulp! Trout Dough concoctions, and nightcrawlers were very good in areas with heavier than normal water discoloration. Best leader lengths were 12 to 14 inches. Trollers scored some limits with Rapala CD03's, CD05's, and the smaller X-Rap XR06's, using brighter firetiger, chartreuse, orange or hot pink colors. Good catches were made at the west shore and Trout Island, with many of the larger fish being taken at boat dock cove.

Families with children age 12 and under found the Kids Lagoon to be somewhat slow. Young anglers registering a "Grand Slam" [rainbow, brown and brook trout] in the Lagoon will qualify for a special "Kids Derby" in February, and will receive a special commendation from the DFG. One of the lucky kids who scored a "Grand Slam" in the Lagoon was James Martinez of Pico Rivera.

No bass anglers reported in at all, and only a handful of incidental catfish were caught. The water level continues to rise. Most roads around the lake are now open, but the west shore road is open only as far as Woody's Cove. The popular west shore can be accessed via a short 10-minute hike on foot.

Anglers are reminded that Irvine Lake will be open normal hours on Christmas Eve [Dec. 24], and closed on Christmas Day [Dec. 25]. The following week will see the lake open normal hours on both New Years Eve and New Years Day.

A free trout fishing seminar will take place from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 10. Instruction will be given by Marlon Meade and the lake Pro-Staff, with topics to include trolling, bait fishing, and jig fishing techniques. The seminar is free with paid admission; please make reservations by calling the Pro Shop at 714-649-9111.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Peter Hosang of Anaheim, 17-0 rainbow trout on Gulp! Trout Dough at the west shore
- Adrian Pintor of North Hollywood, 15-4 rainbow trout on a mini jig at boat dock cove
- Dave Pierson of Garden Grove, 14-2 rainbow trout dropshotting near the docks
- Craig Adkinson of Orange, 12-14 rainbow trout on a mini jig at boat dock cove
- David Johnson of Orange, 11-10 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Trout Island
- Arthur Trejo of Ontario, 11-6 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island
- Bob Barr of Tustin, 11-0 rainbow trout on mini jigs at boat dock cove
- Chris Rhodes of Orange, 10-10 rainbow trout on Power Bait at boat dock cove
- Charles Archie of Seal Beach, 9-2 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Woody's Cove
- Anthony DeLaRosa of Fontana, 8-12 rainbow trout on Roostertail at the west shore
- Daniel Fowler of Hesperia, 8-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the west shore
- Chris Rhodes of Santa Ana, 8-6 rainbow trout dropshotting near the docks
- Clinton Whistler of Yorba Linda, 8-6 rainbow trout on a mini jig at boat dock cove
- Bradley Sampson of Orange, 8-4 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Trout Island