Plenty of catfish and bass were still on the menu for Irvine Lake anglers this week, reported General Manager Dave Noyes. "The catfish bite just won't quit", observed Noyes. "The fish are definitely making a move toward their deeper late fall haunts, so focus your efforts at 20 feet or deeper. Santiago Flats is the best spot, and lots of fish are in Boat Dock Cove too.

"If you want to zero in on the huge blue catfish that are fattening themselves up for the winter, use a big piece of bait, like a whole fillet of mackerel, or a whole mackerel head. Be sure to use at least 30 pound line for the big blues, and also bring one of those big salmon nets." Noyes added, "Everyone is looking forward to our big public Trout Opener on Friday, Nov. 2. We will plant over 20,000 pounds of beautiful 2 to 12-pound Calaveras rainbows raised on the Merced River, along with colorful brown trout and brook trout.

"The lake will be closed on Monday Oct. 29, Tuesday Oct. 30, and Wednesday Oct. 31 to stock the fish and prepare our facilities. On Thursday, Nov. 1, we will have a special limited-entry 'VIP Fishing Day', and the big public opening day will be Friday, Nov. 2. Call our Pro Shop at 714-649-9111 for information on the VIP Day on Nov. 1, or the public opener on Nov. 2.

Catfish anglers found their quarry in a co-operative mood, with good numbers of whiskerfish being caught at Boat Dock Cove, Santiago Flats, and the west shoreline. Productive catfish baits included mackerel, bonito, shrimp, Gulp! Catfish Chunks, and pike mackerel. Lorenzo Martin of Los Angeles checked in a beautiful 20.25lb Blue Catfish on Saturday night. After getting a quick weight and photograph he released the fish to be caught another day.

Bass were also active, but somewhat deeper than during the warm weather. Good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth responded to jigs and dropshot-rigged plastics fished near hard structure at 15 to 25 feet. Three time US Open Champion and recently elected to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Mr. Mike Folkestad did some fishing with WON Editor and Photographer Bradley Schweit and had a phenomenal day on the water. The duo managed to land two Largemouth Bass in the 8-9lb class with a dozen other fish as well. Mike weighed in an 8 lb Largemouth while Bradley weighed in an 8.6 lb Largemouth both fish where caught using a drop shotted Roboworm in the Folkestad Special color. Best areas were near the Red Clay Cliffs, Santiago Flats or Rocky Point. Anglers are reminded that all catfish over 20 pounds and all bass species of any size are strictly catch and release at Irvine Lake. Surface temperature is hovering around 71-73 degrees.

Families with children age 12 and under found good numbers of 1 to 3-pound catfish in the Kids Lagoon on mackerel, shrimp, or marshmallow/mealworm combos.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

Lorenzo Martin of Los Angeles with a 20.25lb Blue Catfish (released) on Mackerel near the buoy line.
Mike Folkestad of Orange with a 8.0lb Largemouth Bass (released) drop shotting a Folkestad Special Roboworm in the Santiago Flats.
Bradley Schweit of Mission Beach with a 8.6 Largemouth Bass (released) drop shotting a Folkestad Special Roboworm in the Santiago Flats.
Marty Sauceda of Costa Mesa with a 8.20 and a 8.0 Channel Catfish taken while fishing a Mackerel and Shrimp combo in the Santiago Flats.
David Queral of Placentia with a 9.20 Channel Catfish taken on Mackerel in the Santiago Flats.