There has been a very good catfish bite at Santa Ana River Lakes this past week. Lots of limits were reported, and while no monster catfish were caught, many fish in the three-pound range were showing. The lake will continue to receive catfish plants all summer long, so the catfish bite should stay very good. The last trout plant until this fall went in three weeks ago, and some trout are still showing, but the bite is slowing down for these fish. The catfish bite has been best on shrimp or chicken liver with Nitro Gravy.

Tony Truong, Torrance, had the top fish of the week and a nice stringer to go with it. Truong caught a five-fish limit of catfish totaling 20-8, with a 6-8 topping the catch, while fishing with shrimp dipped in gravy at the pump house. Gillian McFarland, Pinedale, WY, caught a limit of catfish totaling 14 pounds with fish to four pounds. McFarland was fishing with Nitro Biscuits dipped in shrimp gravy. Steve Guererro, Brea, caught a 15-fish, 24-hour limit of catfish totaling 30 pounds with a five-pounder topping the catch on yellowtail fishing around the boat dock.

The trout action has slowed considerably, but some fish are still showing in the deep water. Orange or chartreuse Nitro Bait has been the best bet for trout. Boat anglers are having a much easier time fishing the deep water and have been having the best success. Anglers fishing from shore need to fish long leaders (four-foot range) with floating baits and make long casts into the deeper water for best results.

Catfish plants will be weekly all summer, and trophy fish from eight to 15 pounds will a component of each week's plant. The average cat will be in the two-pound range.

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. Each week all summer long, 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. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.