Irvine Lake trouting topped by matching 11-6 rainbows

Weather that fluctuated between bluebird and blustery kept anglers on their toes at Irvine Lake this week, reported Nick Sepulveda at the Pro Shop. "The water around the rental dock looks fairly clear, with visibility at about 4 feet", observed Sepulveda. "There is a little sub-surface murkiness, and back in Santiago Flats the water is very murky."

Sepulveda also tipped, "With all of the runoff of the last few weeks, the fish have really turned on to nightcrawlers. Most of the good catches are being made with whole or half ???crawlers."

Most productive leader lengths were running about 12 to 15 inches this week, as long as nightcrawlers were the bait, or part of a Power Mouse combination. Trollers struggled somewhat, but a few fish were fooled by firetiger-color CD05 Rapala Countdowns.

Top spots were the west shore, Trout Island and near the docks. Most rainbows on the stringers were in the 1 to 5-pound class, with some nice 6 to 11-pounders keeping things interesting. Only a few of the steelhead from last week's stocking were caught, along with some brook trout and brown trout.

Signs that the crappie are waking up for spring continue, and some slabs to ?? of a pound have been caught in shallow weedy areas on white mini jigs tipped with a mealworm. A few plump bluegill are also showing up with the crappie.

Bass anglers are finding the action just fair, with largemouth in the 3 pound class biting at 30 feet along west shore points. Best offerings are dropshot-rigged plastics and jigs. Catfish in the 2 to 4-pound class are showing up wherever creeks are running into the lake, and are hitting on nightcrawlers or mackerel.

The rising water levels have so far spared the Kids Lagoon, and stocking continues for families with children age 12 and under. The murky conditions have affected the much smaller Lagoon more than the main lake, and the bite has been somewhat slow because of it.

Speaking of rising water levels, the road to Trout Island is under approximately 5 feet of water, and the west shore road has been submerged for some time. Highest detected water temperature was 58 degrees. The flats road is operable, but is subject to closure due to muddy conditions. Call ahead for up to the minute road conditions.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Kirk Way of Huntington Beach, 11-6 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Trout Island
Kevin Ames of Brea, 11-6 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the west shore
Mrs. Nordstrom of Placentia, 9-6 rainbow trout on a Rapala at mid-lake
Marty Saucedo of Costa Mesa, 8-0 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the flats
Denise Osiecki of Lake Forest, 3-14 brown trout on a Rapala at Trout Island

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