Irvine Lake trouting "quality" topped by 12.1 pounder

Lots of quality-size trout were the story early this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The trout fishing has been very good", observed Getty. We are seeing lots of really nice sized fish, along with some exotics like steelhead and brook trout. The weekend rains have left a few muddy spots on the roads to be cautious about, but all the [non-submerged] roads have pretty much dried out. The lake level has come up about 5 feet since last week. The west shore road is completely submerged, but the road over to Trout Island is still above water."

Quality-size trout were again the norm this week. Most limit stringers were made of solid 2 to 5-pounders, with surprising numbers of 6 to 12-pounders making every bite a potential trophy.

Bait fishing was more productive than trolling for most anglers, with slightly stained water meaning that 6 to 12-inch bait leaders were in order. Trout were tallied on Power Bait, nightcrawlers and Power Mice. The hottest color combination for anglers building a Power Mouse was a white Gulp! Salmon Egg with a white Power Trout Worm, although some combinations using yellow or chartreuse were also good.

Trollers did connect with some nicer fish using firetiger-color CD03 and CD05 Rapalas. Good areas for both trollers and bait dunkers included the west shore, Trout Island and Santiago Flats.

Catfish anglers are finding some action on 2 to 5-pound whiskerfish on nightcrawlers where creek water flows into the lake. These areas are very shallow, so extreme caution is advised. Several bass anglers reported good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth on jigs, either along the flooded west shore road, or on deep rockpiles. The Kid's Lagoon was somewhat off-color, but still very productive for families with children age 12 and under.

Anglers are reminded that there is a mandatory inspection for zebra and quagga mussels for all private boats being launched. Inspection may include a chlorine decontamination spray, to prevent the introduction of this destructive invasive species.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Craig Atkinson of Orange, 12.1 pound trout on Power Bait at the dam
Joe Sacco of Alhambra, 11.4 pound trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island
John Hudspith of Torrance, 11.0 pound trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island
Anselmo Pagkaliwang of Garden Grove, 10.4 pound trout on Power Bait at the west shore
Art Haynes of Costa Mesa, 9.4 pound trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island
Trent Gates of Norwalk, 8.8 pound trout on Power Bait at Trout Island
Chris Fesperman of Northridge, 8.8 pound trout on a Power Mouse at Trout Island
Daniel LeBoeuf of Orange, 8.4 pound trout on an Atomic Teaser at Sierra Cove
Dave Castillo of Seal Beach, 8.04 pound steelhead on an Owner Mira-Shad near the docks
Kevin Bollaird of Costa Mesa, 8.1 pound trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island
Mitz Onizuka of Irvine, 7.25 pound trout on Power Bait at the west shore
Jose Galpan of Orange, 6.12 pound brook trout on Power Bait at the west shore
Justin Heney of Orange, 3.4 pound brook trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island

Media contacts;
Daniela Gavaldon or Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop [714-649-9111]
Steve Carson at scarson@sunset.net