Rain muddies up Corona Lake but turns on the channel catfish bite

Rains over the weekend slowed the trout action at Corona Lake, but the off-color water stimulated the channel catfish action for anglers fish the backside of the lake with cut baits. By Wednesday, the water was starting to clear and the trout action was improving.

The top catfish reported was a 31 3/4-pounder that was caught and released by Pete "The Glass Man" of Mira Loma. He was fishing from shore with mackerel when he hooked, landed, and released the big catfish. Most of the cats have been running from 1 1/2 to three pounds, and the fish have been showing on mackerel or nightcrawlers, and an added scent has helped the action.

The murky lake is completely full and water is spilling over the dam, but persistent trout anglers are still getting a few fish. The top rainbow this past week was a 10 1/2-pounder landed by West Wright of Fullerton.

The best trout action has been on floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent and fished on a short leader. The fish are cruising near the bottom.

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 $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The popular 24-hour fishing passes are offered on Friday and Saturday nights on the weekend nearest the full moon for the rest of trout season (Feb. 15-16 this month). These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $60. The family special, where mom and up to three kids 12 or under can help dad catch his limit, will apply on these all-night passes. For more Corona Lake fishing information, call (951) 277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.