Santa Ana River Lakes cranked out 14 rainbow trout that topped the 10-pound mark in the past week, including the week's top trout at 20 pounds, in an excellent bite that produced limits for many anglers.

This past week kicked off the holiday trophy trout plant season, and trophy Mt. Lassen Trout Farms' rainbows will be planted weekly through the end of the year. Trout topping 20 pounds are slated to go in each week and the biggest fish could easily top the lake and state record.??

The current state record for rainbow trout is 28.1 pounds, a fish caught in 2005 at SARL by Mike Lopez. And it's fairly certain that trout over that size will be planted a number of times from now through December. The first load of 20-plus pound rainbows went in last week, but only one 20-pound class fish was landed this past week.??

The 20-even was caught by Marcello Cannon, Chatsworth, while fishing with rainbow Nitro Bait in Chris' Pond. Cannon also caught a 12.1-pound rainbow. Other big fish include a 15.1-pounder landed by Ritchie Jaime, Placentia, on rainbow Nitro Bait, and a 14 1/2-pounder was caught by Lhorilyn Bautista, Long Beach. Thomas Lee, Westminster, caught a 14-pounder, while Paul Kish, Baldwin Park, landed a 12-10 rainbow.

Top baits continue to be Nitro Bait in lemon lime, corn, chartreuse, rainbow and white lightning colors. Nightcrawlers inflated and doused with Crave Gravy or Grease are also a good bet. Top spots have been La Palma Point, the pump house, near the boat dock, three pipes, and Chris' Pond.

Anglers fishing at SARL should keep in mind the Eagle Claw bounty on a new state record fish. If the 28.1-pound state and lake record is broken using Eagle Claw Nitro baits or bait additives, the anglers can claim a $500 prize. If an Eagle Claw hook is used, he or she is eligible for another $500.??

Santa Ana River Lakes 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 $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes are available only once a month for trout season -- the weekend closest to the full moon. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $60. The lake will be planted every Wednesday for the remainder of trout season.