Irvine Lake water level rising, huge 40-pound sturgeon tops catches The heavy influx of water into Irvine Lake has raised the lake level nearly 3 feet this week, stimulating several species of fish into an improved bite. Last weekend's fire has been completely extinguished, and no lingering effects are evident

Trout fishing continued to be good with a few adjustments being made by anglers to accommodate the very clear water rushing into the lake. The heavy flow at the pipe in Sierra Cove has resulted in at least 90-percent of the cove being buoyed off, with access prohibited just beyond the cove's mouth. Additionally, the extreme far end of the west shore road is starting to be overtaken by the rising water level.

The hot ticket for bait anglers was the Power Mouse, made with a white Gulp! Egg as the head, and a chartreuse or orange Power Trout Worm as the tail. The brand new Gulp! Trout Dough was also producing excellent catches for the anglers who were able to acquire it at the recent Fred Hall Show. Longer leaders in the 12 to 16-inch range were best with the clear water.

Trollers scored well near the dam with Rapalas, with more subtle colors like brown trout and shad moving into contention with the clear water, along with old standby firetiger. Most trout ranged from 1 to 4 pounds, with plenty of 5 to 9 pounders spicing up the stringers.

A monstrous 40-pound sturgeon was caught and released after a long battle by Fred Tovyk of Riverside, who was expecting only trout on his light tackle. Crappie have started to stir at the Santiago Flats, with some 1-pound slabs biting on white mini-jigs tipped with a mealworm.

Bass anglers have started showing up in greater numbers due to the new water, but are characteristically tight-lipped about their success. A few bassers did reveal their secrets, with chunky largemouth in the 3 to 6-pound range biting on jigs at the red clay cliffs.

The Kids Lagoon kicked out very good fishing for families with children age 12 and under. For the month of March, overnight camping is free with paid fishing admission.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included: Fred Tovyk of Riverside, 40-pound sturgeon on nightcrawlers at the mouth of Sierra Cove

Kenny Cameron of Northridge, 9.2 pound trout on Power Bait near the dam Brad Simpson of Lakewood, 8.8 pound trout on a Rapala at the flats
Kreg Burbridge of Alta Loma, 8.4 pound trout on a Rapala near the dam
Chris Goodwin of Orange, 7.2 pound trout on a Rapala near the dam
Stan Jackson of Mission Viejo, 6.2 pound trout on Power Bait at the west shore

Media contacts:
Dave Noyes or Jimmy Getty at the Irvine Lake Pro Shop [714-649-9111] Steve Carson at scarson@sunset.net