IRVINE LAKE STEELHEAD STOCKING DUE; PRESIDENTS WEEKEND DERBY SLATED

Weather was the determining factor for success at Irvine Lake over the past week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "It rained intermittently all weekend, and even hailed for about 30 minutes on Saturday", said Getty. "The trout bite has been excellent during the pre-frontal periods as the storm approached, and also very good during the frontal period while the storm itself is happening. Once the post-frontal conditions hit, the bite slows down. With more rain in the forecast, some of our roads may have to be closed occasionally due to muddy conditions. Be sure to call ahead [714-649-9111] for up to the minute road conditions."

Getty added, "We will be planting just about everybody's favorite fish this week, those 3 to 5-pound steelhead that everybody calls ???silver bullets'. The steelhead stocking will be just in time for our big President's Weekend tournament running this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Even after the derby is over, lots of people will be going after the steelies, they probably fight more than any other freshwater fish."

The rainy conditions have stained the water a light cream color, necessitating the use of shorter bait leaders in the 6 to 12-inch range. Top baits are nightcrawlers and Power Baits in chartreuse colors, with a liberal spritzing of Alive! Garlic Spray being a big help. Ditto for trollers to stick with chartreuse or hot pink colors and plenty of garlic spray.

Good catches of trout were made along the west shore, boat dock cove and Trout Island. Most of the rainbows were ranging in the 1 to 5-pound class, with some larger fish to 13 pounds keeping things interesting. A few of the exotic brook trout up to 5 pounds were mixed into the catch, mostly biting on nightcrawlers.

A budding bite on both bass and bluegill has been emerging as well. Hardcore bassers report releasing as many as 15 to 20 largemouth per day, with most fish around the 2-pound mark. The bass are holding on deep structure from 20 to 40 feet down, and are hitting on jigs, Carolina rigs and dropshot baits.

The bluegill are also holding deep at 10 to 35 feet, but are staying as far away from the bass as they can get. Plump ???gills from hand-size to 1.5 pounds are hitting very well when located, and are biting on mealworms or Berkley Crappie Nuggets.

Some catfish are also being caught in the front around the submerged trees, and wherever creeks are running into the lake. Anglers are warned to be very cautious around the running creeks.

The recent stretch of inclement weather kept families with children age 12 and under mostly indoors, and kept the pressure extremely light on the Kids Lagoon. Accordingly, the Lagoon has plenty of fish and the action is very good for the few people giving it a try.

Anglers should also note that the big Western Outdoor News tournament scheduled for April 18, ALL anglers must pre-register for the tournament. This can be done wither online with WON itself, or via one of the entry forms available at the lake or at the Irvine Lake booth at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach.

ANYONE NOT PRE-REGISTERED FOR THE WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS TOURNAMENT WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE LAKE ON APRIL 18.

Besides registering for the tournament, anglers can reserve their rental boats and camping spots for that date. Due to strong early response, it appears likely that all rental boats will be taken at least 10 days before the event. For that reason, it is recommended that anglers interested in boat rentals or camping spots on April 18 enter the tournament and make their reservations immediately.

OUTSTANDING CATCHES OF THE WEEK AT IRVINE LAKE INCLUDED:
Roberto Santez of Santa Ana, 13-0 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the west shore
Robert Vandevelde of Silverado, 12-4 rainbow trout on a nightcrawler at boat dock cove
Derek Peters of Costa Mesa, 5-4 brook trout on a nightcrawler at Woody's Cove
Jonathen Ceruz of Lakewood, 2-10 brook trout on Power Bait at Trout Island


Media contacts:
Daniela Gavaldon or Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop 714-649-9111
Steve Carson at scarson@sunset.net