Catfish anglers at Irvine Lake continued to score the whisker fish, reported general manager Dave Noyes. "They're still doing well on plenty of the eating-size 2 to 8-pound channel cats", said Noyes. "Good numbers of 10 to 20-pound blue cats are also biting, but we are asking our anglers to voluntarily release the blues over 10 pounds. Anybody who releases a 10-plus blue cat will receive a free lake admission pass."

Best baits for catfish were Catmando, Bowker's and shrimp. Prime location was Santiago flats, but some fish were also caught along the west shore and near the docks.

Bass fishing was excellent for largemouth in the 2 to 4-pound range. Top waters like Rapala Skitter Pops and Gulp! Batwing Frogs during the evening hours were best; with black buzz baits getting he nod once full darkness arrives.

Daytime anglers are also doing very well on worms and jigs on rock piles at the flats. There are also some schools of bass breaking on shad, and when this condition is found, the fish respond well to tailspins.

The crappie action on slabs to 1?? pounds was steady for anglers using floating lanterns at night. Berkley Atomic Tubes or Atomic Teasers with a mealworm trailer were the top crappie getters. Bluegill and red ear fishing continued to be good, with the west shore, Rocky Point, Sierra Cove and near the docks being the hotspots for anglers offering mealworms or wax worms.

Families with children age 12 or under are doing well in the Kid's Lagoon. Best baits in the Lagoon have been Gulp! Catfish Dough and the marshmallow/mealworm combo.

In an effort to conserve the lake's population of blue catfish, a free lake pass will be given to any angler who releases a blue weighing 10 pounds or more. Release is mandatory for all catfish over 20 pounds, which will also earn a free lake pass. Releasing a fish in excess of 50 pounds will earn the angler a free boat and motor rental. Fish must be brought to the boat dock for verification by Lake Staff.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Brian "Bluehunter" Cummings of Rancho Cucamonga: 11.6 lb, 9.4 lb, and 9.0 lb channel cats on mackerel in the Flats??
Chris Abidon of Huntington Beach: 12.4 lb channel cats on mackerel in the Flats
Richard Harris of Hawthorne: 6.9 lb, 7.8 lb , and 8.3 lb channel cats on mackerel at the Red Clay Cliffs
Kurt Holland & Kyle Fletcher, Yorba Linda, 12.40 lb blue cat on Dumong's mackerel in the Flats
William Krisher of Lompoc: channel cats limit of 15.6 lbs on mackerel at the Red Clay Cliffs
Kyle Walker of Los Angeles: 18.6 lb, 15.0 lb, 17.8 lb, and 5.8 lb channel cats on mackerel in the Flats
Derek Rubin of Los Angeles: 17 lb channel cats limit on mackerel in the Flats
Brian Smith of Corona: 21.5 lb channel cats limit on mackerel in the Flats