While the trout bite remains excellent at Corona Lake with most anglers getting stringers of 1 1/2 to four-pounders, it was a 22  ?-pound catfish that garnered the most attention this past week at this popular western Riverside County lake.

The big catfish was caught by a lake regular Mike Guardando of Mira Loma last week. The 22-8 was landed on J.D.'s Mackerel while Guardando was fishing in the flooded trees from a boat. But quite a few other cats have also been landed by anglers fishing cut baits, mostly in the trees as the fish start to poke around in the shallows. A number of three to eight-pounders have also been posted and this week's warmer weather should help keep this bite perking along.

The trout action remains the mainstay for anglers here with weekly plants of rainbows from one of three hatcheries, and Lightning Trout were planted March 16 and a few continue to be caught by anglers. Most stringers have at least one fish topping three pounds. The trout are showing on jigs, trout plastics, floating dough baits -- and garlic-scent has been a popular add-on or flavor -- or a combination of a trout plastics and dough bait (Power Mouse).

Boat and float tube anglers have been having the best success in mid-lake and dam areas. Andrew Moran, Corona, landed a 10-pound rainbow while fishing a Power Mouse with his fishing buddies. A pretty typical float tube limit was landed by Terry Herman, Norco, who had five rainbows for 12 pounds total, including a four-pounder, all on small trout plastics. Christian Islas and Edgar Prisciliano, both Los Angeles, landed nine rainbows for 16 pounds fishing jigs from a boat, and Danny and Stephanie Zavala, both Carson, had seven rainbows to 2-2 fishing from shore with trout jigs.

The largemouth bass bite has been pretty fair with a lot of male bass moving into the shallows to fan out spawning beds. Also quite a few crappie are starting to show for anglers fishing small crappie jigs.

Anglers are reminded that fish cleaning is now available by the lake's staff members, and if anglers are having trout catching fish, they should check with the lake guides who are happy to share information and tips on fishing techniques and locations that have been hot.

Corona Lake is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these passes is $22. Seniors pay only $20. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. The 24-hour passes are available the weekend nearest the full moon each month, with the next overnight fishing is tentatively set for April 15-16. These passes cost $60 and anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit.. Camping at Corona Lake is also free with a 24-hour pass. For Corona Lake fishing information, call 951-277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.