Anglers and lake staff are calling the Corona Lake trout opener this past weekend "the best in years" thanks to heavy plantings of Mt. Lassen and Jess Ranch trout, including Lightning Trout, for the opening day on Saturday.

The lake was closed the four days prior to the opener for planting of the fish - including a big load of Lightning Trout, the first time these popular gamefish have been stocked for opening day. Anglers started lining up down Temescal Canyon Road on Friday afternoon, and the line was more than a half-mile long on opening morning. But the wait was worth the effort.

Limits of trout running from 1 1/2 to three pounds were the rule with some big, hook-jawed male trout to five pounds or a little better in the mix. Most of the Lightning Trout were solid three-pound fish or bigger. "The trout opener was fantastic," said Colby Elliott at Corona Lake. "I personally do not remember a better trout opener as far as how many trout I saw. It was wide open. I can't even describe how great it was." Elliott said over 100 photos of anglers with fish are posted up on The Lakes Facebook page.

Adrian Pintor, pictured above of Hollywood landed three Lightning Trout fishing jigs from shore off JD's Point with small jigs. The trio weighed in at 11 pounds and the biggest was a nice six-pounder. Robert Pocius, Azusa, had a 5 1/2-pound Lightning Trout fishing from the dam shoreline with chartreuse garlic floating bait. A five-pound rainbow was caught by Matt Dix, Mission Viejo, fishing a white and pink mini jig behind the bait shop. Some typical limits included the 15-fish catch posted by Clint Jerome, Adrian Contreras, and Samuel Valdez, all Riverside, that weighed in at 30 pounds with a three pounder the top fish. All were caught on a variety of jigs off JD's Point. Jason Morrow and Kurt Niderhauser, Upland and West Covina, had 10 trout for 15 pounds fishing a garlic-scented dough bait. Eric Jimenez and Mike Costello, both Riverside, had 10 rainbows for 17 pounds, also on garlic chartreuse floating bait. The plants are going in weekly now with the next huge stocking slated for November 1. This plant will consist of more of the peppy Sierra Bows and more of the big hook-jawed males up to five pounds or a little better. Anglers are reminded that Corona Lake will be closed for a special filming event Nov. 6, 7, 8 (Tuesday through Thursday). The lake will reopen on Friday, Nov. 9, after more plants of trout.

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 $25. Seniors pay only $23, with a $20 special on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $12. With the shift to trout season, 24-hour passes are only sold the weekend nearest the full moon. That 24-hour fishing will be Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3 this month. The 24-hour passes cost $75 and have a 15 fish limit. An angler can bring his wife and up to three kids 17 and under and all can help fill the 15-fish limit on one of these passes, and camping is free at Corona with a 24-hour pass. For Corona Lake fishing information, call 951-277-4489.