Irvine Lake Report

Irvine Lake - Silverado, CA


by Steve Carson
5-21-2008

Irvine Lake bite perks back up with "no limit" trout fishing, catfish opener slated for June 6 The arrival of Memorial Day weekend means that there will be "no limit" on trout for the remainder of the summer season. Trout fishing continues to be good in deeper water, portending full ice chests for those who want them. Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop reported, "When we had the record heat going last weekend, things slowed down. On Tuesday the weather returned to normal, and the trout started biting again. Once we start staying open late Friday and Saturday nights starting on June 6, there will also be some good bites on both catfish and crappie."

Trouting has become a deep water affair, and anglers skilled in deep trolling and drifting techniques are still finding some nice fish. Trolling 4 to 5 colors of leadcore line with a cop-car or frog-color Luhr Jensen Needlefish is the top producer. Deep-drifting with a Power Mouse or Power Bug combination using green or white colors is also working.

Catfish chasers have been finding very good action on 2 to 5-pound channels. The whiskerfish are hitting best on Catmando mackerel, shrimp, DuMong's and Gulp! catfish preparations in the weedy areas right in front of the Pro Shop. The June 6 catfish opener will allow anglers to opportunity to fish until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.

Some bass are still on tap for those who specialize in the species. Smaller largemouth in the 1 to 3-pound class are hitting oxblood-color plastics at Santiago Flats. A few topwater fish are also biting in the early mornings.

Crappie anglers have had only sporadic success, and are heavily anticipating the night-time hours starting on June 6. Bluegill and redear are biting for anglers offering mealworms and waxworms, but few anglers are chasing these smaller species.

Families with children age 12 and under have been experiencing moderate action in the Kids Lagoon on catfish using the marshmallow/mealworm combo. The overall water level in the main lake is currently on a downward trend.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Wade Kirchmeyer of Anaheim Hills, 6-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the red clay cliffs Mike Warren of Tustin, 5-9 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers at the west shore


< Previous Report Next Report >




< Previous Report Next Report >


More Reports

5-13-2008
Irvine Lake trout moving deeper, catfish opener slated for June 6 The trout population at Irvine Lake is sliding deeper as water temperatures rise, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The trout fishing is still good if you know how to fish a little deeper. Very early morning is also good, and Woody's Cove gets some extra shade. A lot of fish are being caught leadcore line trolling at anything from 3 to 6 colors. The bass fishing is really...... Read More

5-7-2008
Catch and Release fishing will be banned in Switzerland from next year, it was revealed this week. And anglers in the country will have to demonstrate their expertise by taking a course on humane methods of catching fish, under new legislation outlined by the Bundesrat - the Swiss Federal Parliament. The new legislation states that fish caught should be killed immediately following their capture, with a sharp blow to the head from a blunt instrument. Under the new regulations, the use of...... Read More