Santa Ana River Lakes’ big trout action
remains hot, 19-pounder tops this week
The big trout action at Santa Ana River Lakes continues to delight anglers at this popular Orange County water, and there was a 19-pound rainbow and two at 17 pounds to pace the big fish bite this past week.
The 19-pounder topped off a nine-fish, 37-pound stringer landed by Juvenal Serrato, Tustin, fishing green PowerBait at Levitz’ Corner. One of the 17-pounders was caught by Sam Kamton, Cerritos, on rainbow PowerBait off the sandy beach, while the other was landed by Craig Joachim, Anaheim, fishing a Mice Tails at Johnnie’s Corner.
Other big fish included an 11-pounder landed by Wendell Williams, Cerritos, on a chartreuse and white Mice Tail at Johnnie’s Corner, while Ken Martin, Artesia, topped off his 18-pound, four-fish catch with a 10-pounder caught at the Bubble Hole, also on a Mice Tail. George Tebelekian, Los Angeles, landed an eight-pound trout on chartreuse PowerBait at La Palma Point.
The trout have been averaging from one to three pounds and many stringers have had kicker fish from four to 10 pounds or better. Trophy rainbows are a significant component of each week’s massive plant at The Lakes and have been the whole season, and the new water distribution has the fish well-distributed around the big lake and Chris’ Pond. The top bait continues to be the new Hatchery Dust rolled onto the outside of just about any floating dough bait, but the Power Mice Tails, small trout plastics, and trout jigs (particularly Lip RipperZ, Smoking Jigs, and B-Line jigs) are close seconds to the dusted floating baits. Bright colors continue to be the best bet with any of the baits or lures.
Some typical catches from this past week show how good the fishing has been. Abel and Julian Gonzalez, both San Pedro, landed eight trout for 12 1/4-pounds total, and the big fish was a 3 1/2-pounder, all caught on green and white jigs and trout plastics.
The warmer weather is also really helping the catfish bite for anglers targeting these fish, especially in the Catfish Lake. Victor Estrada and Miquel Ramirez, both Santa Ana, had 10 catfish that weighed 24 pounds total and the big cat was a four-pound. The pair were fishing the M&M (marshmallow-meal worm) combo in the Catfish Lake.
The “Healing and Reeling Big Trout Tournament” will be held this Saturday. This is a special event designed to give back and honor the gallant men and women in the nation’s armed forces who have given so much to protect our country and our freedoms. Project Healing Waters is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled military service personnel through fishing, education and outings. The Project focuses on rehabilitation of veterans by offering them the opportunity to hang out on the water with friends, have some great fun, and some fantastic fishing.
The buy in for the tournament is $20, in addition to the regular gate fee. Of the fee, $10 will be donated directly to Healing Waters and the other $10 will be placed in the Big Fish prize pool for the tournament. But there far more than just a shot at winning cash for a big fish. With over 50 major sponsors supporting the Healing Waters event, including including Shimano, Western Outdoor News, Davey’s Locker, Turners, Eagle Claw, John Deere, Panther Martin and many, many more, there have been thousands of dollars worth of prizes donated that will be given away to tournament participants in the after-event raffle. Each entrant gets one raffle ticket and more may be purchased. There will also be a silent auction of some prizes with all proceeds going to Healing Waters. More information on the tournament is available at The Lakes web site at www.fishinglakes.com.
Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven-days-a-week. Fishing is 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 for $75. An angler can bring his or her spouse and three kids 17 years or younger on that $75 permit, and all can help catch the 15-fish limit. Camping at SARL is thrown in for free. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
Corona Lake’s excellent rainbow action
overshadowed by two quality sturgeon
While the trout action at Corona Lake has continues to be excellent, it was a pair of hefty sturgeon that stole the headlines this past week.
The biggest was a 35-pounder landed by the team of Jose and Issac Monroy, Corona, while fishing Power Nuggets on four-pound test in Bait Shop Cove. A 30-pound sturgeon was caught by Kirk Knalson, Corona, while fishing Power Bait on six-pound test.
The biggest trout reported this were a pair of “mere” 8 3/4-pound rainbows. Lakes’ staff used the term “mere” because it was one of the first week’s this season when a rainbow over 15 pounds hasn’t been the biggest fish of the week.
Rick Peterson, Corona, used a nightcrawler to land his 8 3/4-pounder fishing from shore, while Alex Breton, Seal Beach, was fishing from his float tube and a jig to landed his 8 3/4-pound rainbow. A typical limit was posted by Ruben Perez, Steven Bubalcava, along with Louis and Junior Azevado, all Lake Elsinore. The four anglers had 15 trout totaling 16 1/2-pounds and the big fish was a four-pounder. The four anglers were fishing PowerBait from shore.
Big trout topping 10 pounds are still included in each week’s trout plant at Corona Lake, while the bulk of the fish are nice, stringer-filling one to two-pound trout. Some Lightning Trout are still showing from the plant two weeks ago. Overall, the bite has been very good, but more and more of the trout are showing from deeper, cooler water, making the best action for boat or tube anglers. The hot bite has continued to be on floating dough baits of just about any brand rolled in the new Hatchery Dust, with Power Mice Tails, small trout worms, small jigs, and inflated nightcrawlers all close seconds.
Corona Lake is open on a seven-days-a-week schedule. Fishing is 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 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.