Fair to good trout action continues this week at Santa Ana River Lakes continues. While the trout have moved into deeper water the persistent anglers are still getting the rainbows, and the catfish and bass bites are both starting to turn on.

Trout fishing has been best for boat anglers as warming water temperatures cause the fish to move into deep water. The bubble hole, La Palma Point, and Levitz' Corner have been the hot spots, and many anglers fishing the deep water are getting limits -- or even double limits after buying a second permit.

The new Sierra rainbows are a big hit with anglers. The crimson-striped, pink-meated, full-finned fish are mostly in the one to two-pound range with some up to four pounds, and they all pull hard. With the plants focusing on these new trout, there have not been many of the big bruisers anglers normally association with SARL this past week. The only fish over five pounds was an 8-8 rainbow caught by Ron Mueller, Ventura, on a jig in Levitz' Corner. Santiago Luis, La Puente, caught a nice stringer of 10 trout totaling 20-8 with a 4-0 topping his catch. Luis was fishing with chartreuse Power Bait at La Palma Point.

The catfish bite is starting to pick up with the warm weather with most anglers using shrimp, mackerel, or the M&M combo (marshmallow and mealworm. Some bass are showing as well for anglers targeting them. The best spots for bass have been Catfish Lake and the bubble hole.

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. Starting May 22, when trout season ends and catfish season officially begins, the lake will move to the summer schedule for 24-hour fishing passes. Starting that week, the lake will be open to 24-hour fishing each Thursday through Saturday. 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.