Irvine Lake catfish action topped by 20.8 pounder, big cats to 20 pounds stocked this week

Anglers hoping for good catfish action at Irvine Lake this week were not disappointed, reported general manager Dave Noyes. "There are catfish in pretty much all the usual spots, and Thursday and Friday nights have been the best time. Those in the know can also catch catfish during the daylight hours. Also don't forget that late September and early October is absolutely the best time for our largest blue catfish."

Noyes added, "This week we put in a bonus stocking of 4,000 pounds of broodstock catfish in the 15 to 20-pound class. We hope that everyone observes our voluntary release program for catfish over 10 pounds, and mandatory release on catfish over 20 pounds so that these big fish are around for many years to come. Lucky anglers who release a catfish over 20 pounds will receive a free lake pass, and releasing one over 50 pounds will earn a free motorboat rental pass."

Good catches of catfish were reported from Santiago Flats, the west shore, near the docks and near the dam. Productive baits were mackerel, shrimp, bonito, Catmando Baits and DuMong's. Most catfish limits are made up of whiskerfish in the 2 to 5-pound range, with a nice sprinkling of bigger-grade cats to 20 pounds. Almost daily someone reports hooking a monster that could not be stopped.

Bass fishing is very good, but secretive bassers are reluctant to share many details. Evening and night-time anglers are doing best on reaction baits, including white spinnerbaits and shad-color Rapala X-Rap XR10's and XR12's, along with Skitter-Pops and other topwaters. Daytime anglers hit the red clay cliffs and Rocky Point at 18 to 25 feet with dropshot-rigged plastics. Most of the largemouth reported were in the 2 to 4-pound class. Anglers are reminded that all bass fishing is catch-and-release only.

Crappie anglers are scoring slabs to 2 pounds by putting out a floating lantern and waiting for minnows to gather under the boat. Best lures once the crappie become attracted to the minnows are white or glow-in-the dark mini jigs. Plenty of bluegill and redear are available near the docks on mealworms or waxworms.

The Kids Lagoon is closed for maintenance until the trout season opener, which is scheduled for October 31. Some 20,000 pounds of trout will be stocked just prior to the opener. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night hours for catfish will continue until October 25.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

Ronson "Catmando" Smothers of Los Angeles, 20.8 pound blue catfish [released] on Catmando Bait at the flats Phil Hildenbrandt of Anaheim, 20.2 pound blue catfish [released] on bonito at the west shore Marty Sauceda of Costa Mesa, 14.8 pound channel catfish [released] on bonito at the west shore Tony Muniz of Tustin, 10.8 pound channel catfish on chicken liver/shrimp at Rocky Point

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