The catfish action was steady at Santa Ana River Lakes this week, with many nice stringers reported. Not as many bruisers were showing this past week, but the lake is getting an extra plant of trophy-sized catfish weighing in the 12 to 20-pound range. These oversize cats will be planted for both this weekend and Labor Day weekend, when the 24-hour fishing will be extended through Sunday night thanks to the Monday Holiday.

The best catfish bite is still for boat anglers fishing the deeper water, but nearly as many fish are coming from shore with the cats being caught all the way around the big lake, in Chris' Pond, and the Catfish Lake. A wide variety of cut baits and prepared baits are working on the cats, but most anglers are adding scents to improve the action. Nightcrawlers with added scent were working especially well this past week.

Rick and Brenda Haney, Hemet, teamed up to catch a five-fish stringer totaling 24-8 with an 8-8 topping their catch. Their 8-8 catfish was good enough to be the top fish this past week. The Haneys caught the fish on nightcrawlers with Nitro Gravy at Mike's Beach.

Sammy Gray, Anaheim, caught a 6-12 catfish on nightcrawlers with Gravy added at Chris' Pond. Top stringer this week was again caught by Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove. Zimnicki had a 20-fish stringer totaling over 60 pounds and was using mackerel as bait.

Catfish plants go in each week all summer long, and trophy fish from five to 15 pounds are a component of each week's plant. The average cat planted has been in 1 1/2 to two-pound range. But starting this week, more of the super-sized cats from 12 to 20 pounds will go into Santa Ana River Lakes.

In addition, anglers can download special discount coupons from the Santa Ana River Lakes web site at www.fishinglakes.com (then click on "Special Promotions"). These coupons will be available for a limited time so anglers need to download them now so they can cash in on the deal the rest of the summer. Coupons are available for $5 off 24-hour fishing, $10 off some boat and motor rentals, and $20 off pontoon boat rentals.

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 -- and through Sunday on Monday-holiday weekends. 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.