Good action on Lightning Trout and Tailwalkers at Santa Ana River Lakes

A big plant of Nebraska Tailwalkers this past week and Lightning Trout the week before combined to make for excellent trout fishing at the Santa Ana River Lakes this past week with a lot of 1 1/2 to three-pound fish.

The biggest rainbow trout was a 10 3/4-pounder landed by Craig Joachim, Anaheim, while fishing off Levitz' Corner with orange Nitro Bait. Eight-pound rainbows were caught by Mark Dahl, Santa Clarita, to top off his 23-pound, five-fish limit, and by John Corrigan, Lancaster, who also had a four-pounder. Jocko Smith, San Pedro, caught a 6 ??-pound rainbow, while Steve Zookzwad, Baldwin Park, had a six-pounder. Both anglers were fishing with chartreuse Nitro Bait.

The best action over the past week has been on floating dough baits, especially Eagle Claw's Nitro Bait in the chartreuse, nightcrawlers doused with scent, and salmon eggs. Hot spots have been Levitz' Corner, La Palma Point, and in Chris' Pond.

A second of two Lightning Trout plants is scheduled to go in this week, and this plant will include some trophy broodstock Lightnings.

Santa Ana River Lakes is normally 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 passes is $22. Seniors only pay $20, with a special $17 pass sold on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. The once-monthly 24-hour passes remain just $60. These passes have a 15-fish limit. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.