Anglers at Irvine Lake continued to see a variety of species coming in, reported Daniela Gavaldon at the Pro Shop. “We have seen some of everything this week”, observed Gavaldon. “Folks showed up on New Year’s Day, and just wanted to catch the first fish of 2016, they were not particular about the species.”

Lake regular Terry Lairson tipped, “The trout are biting best on nightcrawlers fished under a bobber. Eithr a plain old red/white bobber, or a slip bobber rig, with the nightcrawler hanging about 3 or 4 feet under it. Light line, only 2-pound or 4-pound test is very important too.”

An excellent stringer of catfish totaling over 100 pounds was made by Armando Renteria and his team 57 group at the buoy line. “The catfish had no problem whatsoever hitting on bigger chunks of mackerel”, noted Renteria. “Strong scents, especially garlic really helped too. The fish are starting to bite earlier instead of just in the late afternoon. Be sure to leave the hook exposed in the bait, and let the catfish run with for a while before you set the hook. Don’t just jerk when you begin to feel the bit, the fish is probably just chewing on it.”

Bass anglers continued to find good numbers of 2-5 pound largemouth, but details about rumored larger bucketmouths to 8 pounds were difficult to ascertain. James Getty of Owner Hooks was concentrating on bass, tossing watermelon-color plastic craws on Owner Jig Rigs, and did well with a deep and ultra-slow presentation along points. Several anglers with large swimbaits tied on declined to give any information about their luck.

Families with children age 12 and under found good numbers of 1-3 pound catfish in the Kids Lagoon on mackerel or nightcrawlers, along with the largest fish of the week, a whopping 14-pound whiskerfish. There is currently no limit on trout or catfish. Anglers are reminded that watercraft of any kind are not permitted at Irvine Lake. Lake hours are Wednesdays through Sundays, 6 AM-4 PM, and the lake is closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

Armando Renteria of Anaheim, 3-0 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers at the west shore
11-year old Anthony Graeber of Pacific Palisades, 14-0 blue catfish [released] on mackerel in the Kids Lagoon
Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 12-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the west shore
10-year old Drew Miller of Orange, 3-5 channel catfish on nightcrawlers in the Catchout Pond
James Getty of Orange, 5-1 largemouth bass [released] on an Owner Jig rig at the west shore
Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 1-7 bluegill on nightcrawlers at the west shore
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