At least 30 trout topping 10 pounds are caught at Santa Ana River Lakes

In the last big hoo-rah of the urban trout season, at least 30 rainbow trout topping 10 pounds were caught at Santa Ana River Lakes since last Thursday, and most of the big Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbows were in the 17 to 19-pound range.

The biggest rainbow was a 19 1/2-pounder caught by Vinnie Lun, Santa Ana, fishing a lime-colored floating dough bait at Three Pipes. A 19-even was caught by Gordon Meloeny, Oak Park, on a floating bait-nightcrawler combo. There were a pair of 18 3/4-pounders caught, one by Tim Morland, Anaheim, and the other by Mike Gurunlian, Palos Verdes, and both were using Nitro Bait. Varian Virgen, Fullerton, caught an 18 1/4-pound rainbow on rainbow Nitro Bait, while Mike Applewood, Bellflower, had an 18.4-pounder on a Nitro Worm. David Mack, Lakewood, also used an Nitro Worm for his 18.3-pound trout. Tramel Kerl, Los Angeles, caught an 18 1/4-pounder and a 17-8, while Steve Nguyen, Anaheim, landed an 18-2 rainbow.

Trout at 18-pounds even were posted by Charles Hallam, Buena Park, Carlos Pareno, West Covina, and Robert Brumfield, Carson. Trout in the 17-pound class included catches made by Daniel Fernandez, Colton, Don Pinkerton, Anaheim, Tom Olson, Gardena, Jimmie Tobar, Long Beach, Bill Smith, Long Beach, Greg San Luis, Chino Hills, Nick Stanzione, Redondo Beach, Gary Garcia, Los Angeles, Freddie Huerta, Pasadena, and Pedro Villa, Anaheim.

All of these huge fish were the result of the plant of Mt. Lassen Trout Farms' super trophy rainbows made last week. This is the last plant of the super trophies this season, but weekly plants of the scrappy Nebraska Tailwalkers and the Mt. Lassen fish will continue at least through April.

The hot action this week has been chartreuse and rainbow-colored Nitro Bait or other floating dough baits, but the small trout worms and jigs have also been good, especially the Nitro Worms and Lip RipperZ. Nightcrawlers, dipped in Nitro Gravey and inflated, have also been top baits. Levitz' Corner and the Bubble Hole are the top spots, but fish have been showing virtually all around the big lake.

There are two more major events this month at Santa Ana River Lakes. This coming Easter weekend, anglers will be able to buy 24-hour passes and fish all night Thurday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The 24-hour passes are $60 and have a 15-fish limit. The following weekend on April 18, Santa Ana River Lakes and Eagle Claw are hosting Angler Appreciation Day. This is a special two-for-one event. With each purchase of a full-price lake admission, your fishing partner gets in free, and the first 200 anglers in the gate will get a free Nitro Bait belt holder.

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