The clock is ticking for the Irvine Lake 2012-13 Trout Season Opener, which is slated for Friday, November 2. Some 20,000 pounds of trout will be planted just prior to the opener, and a special limited-entry "VIP Fishing Day" will take place on Thursday, November 1.

Both bass and catfish anglers experienced a slight lull this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The fish backed off a bit on Thursday and Friday night, probably due to the full moon", observed Getty. "They bounced back nicely on Saturday night, and fishing was actually very good from about 7 PM on. The bass moved deep, but if you made the correct adjustments, they were still very catchable."

Getty added enthusiastically, "We had a small but intense fire pop up on Thursday, and it very easily could have become serious. We really take our hats off to the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriffs Department, Orange County Fire Department, and the US Department of Forestry. All of whom who responded quickly and professionally, before anything except a bunch of grass and brush got burned."

Catfish catches were checked in from Boat Dock Cove, the west shoreline, and Santiago Flats, and productive baits included mackerel, shrimp, bonito, Gulp! Catfish Chunks, skipjack, and pike mackerel. Most catfish on the stringers were 2 to 6-pound stockers, but some larger-grade fish kept things interesting.

Bass anglers found their quarry had mostly moved to traditional deep-water haunts this week. Fair numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth were caught at 20 to 35 feet on jigs and dropshot-rigged plastics fished near the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point.

Families with children age 12 and under found good action on carp and 1 to 3-pound channel catfish in the Kids Lagoon on the marshmallow/mealworm combo. The main lake level is continuing to drop slowly, and Woody's Cove has now disappeared with the lower water. If the steady drop continues, it is possible that the very popular West Shore Road will be exposed for the Trout Opener, for the first time in several years.

New lake admission prices went into effect as of October 1, 2012:

Adults- $24;
Seniors [Monday-Thursday]- $21;
Kids [age 4-12]- $11;
Second-Limit Pass- $19.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 11-0 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 9-9 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Elaine Dickerhoof of Garden Grove, 9-0 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
5-year old Justin Mostero of Orange, 4-1 largemouth bass [released] on a popper at the west shore