Trout to 14 pounds caught at Santa Ana River Lakes

It was another good week for trout fishing at Santa Ana River Lakes with another batch of fish over the 10-pound mark landed. Some catfish are starting to show as well.

Trout fishing continues to be best on dough baits or nightcrawlers fished on a long leader. The fish continue to move deeper in the lake with the warmer weather, and boat anglers have been having the best success.

Top catch this week was made by Alex Ortega, Anaheim, who caught a 14-10 rainbow on a brown wing lure fishing by the pump house. David Alaniz, Pomona, landed a 13-8 trout on a Lip Ripperz fishing by the boat dock. Arturo Velazquez, West Covina, caught a 12-12 rainbow on a jig fishing at the spillway. David Avila, Santa Ana, caught 12-0 and 8-0 trout fishing Three Pipes. Mahlin Diamond, Los Angeles, caught a 12-0 trout on yellow Nitro Bait at the boat dock.

Catfish anglers are reminded that if they hook and land a sturgeon, they are catch-and-release only -- but there is a reward for the catch. The $200- value prize package includes two free gate passes ($40 value), a free pontoon boat rental ($85 value), and a top-quality Eagle Claw fishing combo that includes a graphite catfish rod, multi-ball bearing spinning reel, and spool of Lazer line ($75 value).

Santa Ana River Lakes and sister water Corona Lake are in the middle of a Tagged Trout "Poker" Tournament that started last week and runs through April 19. During the event hundreds of tagged trout will be planted and each will have a card value. There will be daily winners -- $55 worth of Eagle Claw fishing tackle -- for the angler who catches the best poker "hand" at both lakes. Then on Sunday April 20, there will be a drawing for cash prizes up to $500 among all anglers who caught tagged trout at both waters. Each tag will be an entry in this drawing. In addition, the angler who caught the highest daily "hand" in the tournament will win an additional $1,000.

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 during trout season -- the weekend closest to the full moon. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $60. A spouse and up to three kids 12 and under can help dad catch his 15-fish limit on these passes. The lake will be planted every Wednesday for the remainder of trout season. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.