Rising water levels at Irvine Lake have closed access to the west shore road. Accordingly, a free pontoon boat shuttle service to the west shore hotspots will begin on weekends, reported general manager Dave Noyes. "On Saturdays and Sundays, we will send out a free pontoon shuttle from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The shuttle will run every hour on the hour, and will be a great way to get over to some of the better spots without a boat."

Mid-week Santa Ana winds slowed the trout totals, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "Trout fishing was very good early on Friday", observed Sepulveda. "We have been seeing some nice stringers of fish for people who get out on the water early."

Top producer was a half nightcrawler in combination with a whit Gulp! Salmon Egg on a 12-inch leader. Also good was a green garlic marshmallow, and some trout were caught on Roostertails cast from shore. Some fish were also caught trolling with CD03 and CD05 Rapalas.

Best spots were the west shore, Trout Island and Sierra Cove. Most stringers consisted of 2 to 4-pound trout, with plenty of 5 to 9-pounders spicing things up. Some very large trout were reported hooked and lost by skilled anglers.

Bass anglers are finding very good action on 3 to 5-pound largemouth on jigs. Hotspots include the red clay cliffs and Rocky Point, with the fish up in shallow 1 to 15-foot depths due to the rising water levels.

Good numbers of trout are being caught in the Kids Lagoon by anglers with children age 12 and under.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Frank Sailayeda of Orange, 19.6 pound carp ON Power Bait at the dam
David Luraschi of Buena Park, 10.2 pound trout on nightcrawlers at Trout Island
Craig Mizufuka of Del Mar, 9.8 pound trout on a Power Worm at Trout Island
Steve Dudley of Lompoc, 8.12 pound trout on nightcrawlers at the west shore
Phil Dobrick of Huntington Beach, 8.0 pound trout on a Kastmaster at Trout Island
Kevin Slape of Upland, 7.14 pound trout on a Mira Shad at the West Shore