Jim Matthews
Outdoor Editor

Santa Ana River Lakes reopen this
Friday after three huge trout plants
Three huge trout plants have poured in Santa Ana River Lakes over the past two weeks in preparation for the grand reopening set for this Friday (Dec. 7). The lake will be loaded with thousands of pounds of one to two-pound rainbows, along with a hefty supply of quality Sierra Bows from six to 20 pounds.
The longer-than-expected maintenance was to improve the water circulation between the three lakes at Santa Ana River Lakes, and the work is expected to make for better fishing conditions this trout season. Rather than having the water flow in at the top of all three lakes, the water is now moved through the lakes via bottom feeds and drains. This will improve water circulation and aeration.
“It going to make the fishing better all around the lakes rather than just at a few spots,” said Craig Elliott.
He also wanted to remind anglers that the “good old days” of SARL fishing are returning, when giant rainbows topping 10 pounds and some into the 20-pound class and bigger, will be back at The Lakes every week of the trout season this year.
“Big trout are being planted every week of the season this year, and anglers will have the opportunity to catch and see caught these monster Super Sierra Bows every time they fish The Lakes this season,” said Elliott.
Santa Ana River Lakes will be open on a seven-days-a-week schedule 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. There are 24-hour passes offered on Friday and Saturday night on weekends nearest the full moon each month. The 24-hour passes cost $75 and have a 15 fish limit. An angler can bring his wife and up to three kids and all can help fill the 15-fish limit on one of these passes, and camping is free at SARL with a 24-hour pass. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.

Trout action remains sizzling
at Corona Lake despite storms
Corona Lake’s trout action has remained good in spite of rain much of the past week. Heavy weekly plants, including trophy fish, have made for excellent action. More fish are showing on highly scented baits this week, with nightcrawlers and floating dough baits with scent attractants added getting the most play. The anglers fishing small jigs, plastic trout worms, and spoons are doing nearly as good when they key on bright, flashy colors.
The top rainbow reported this past week was a 10-pounder landed by Robert Gonzalez, Whittier, while fishing a nightcrawler from a boat. Lino Jubilado, Alhambra, landed an 8 1/4-pounder from his float tube on PowerBait fishing near the launch ramp, while Julian Lopez, Long Beach, had a 7 1/4-pounder on a salmon egg from the west shoreline.
There were also some impressive stringers landed. Tim Chao, Riverside, had five rainbows for a 22-pound total, all in the four to five-pound range, fishing Lip RipperZ jigs from a boat. Arie Schmutzer, Jason Ross, and Ethan Hattersley, all Wildomar, had 12 trout for a 22 1/2-pound stringer fish chartreuse Nitro Bait in the rain from a boat. Chad Homan Jr. and Chad Sr., Escondido, landed five fish to 4 1/2-pounds for a 14-pound stringer at the dam on green floating bait.
A few sturgeon continue to show with the cooling water conditions. Danny Zamora, Arizona, landed an 18 1/2-pound sturgeon while fishing from a boat with a nightcrawler.
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. The 24-hour passes are only sold the weekend nearest the full moon. The next weekend for this all-night fishing is Nov. 30-December 1. 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 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.

Anaheim Lake closes
with big trout parade
The final week of fishing at Anaheim Lake was excellent with anglers taking advantage of half-price permits and collecting a lot of nice stringers of rainbow trout, including a number of trophby fish.
The big fish of the final week was a 14-pound rainbow landed by Daniel Kalahele, Orange, fishing a chartreuse jig at the spillway from shore. Jen Goodman, Yorba Linda, had an 11-pound rainbow on a white Lip RipperZ jig also at the spillway from shore.
Anaheim Lake closed for the season after this past Sunday’s fishing, and it will remain closed until Santa Ana River Lakes closes again for routine maintenance.