Santa Ana River Lakes catfish action kicking into high gear, trout slowing
Santa Ana River Lakes catfish action is kicking into high gear and the Lakes complex will be planted twice a week with fish from 1 1/2 to four pounds throughout the summer season.

The cats are showing in both the big lake, Chris' Pond, and the Catfish Lake and the best action has been on cut baits or nightcrawlers doused with scent, especially Nitro Gravy.

Richard Haney, Garden Grove, caught a limit of five cats that weighed in at 18 1/2 pounds total, including a 4 1/2-pounder. He was fishing with shimp dipped in Nitro Gravy off Levitz' Corner to make his catch. Mary Gray, Anaheim, landed a 4 1/2-pounder, too, and she was fishing a nightcrawler in the Catfish Lake.

Trout action also remains fair, but warming water conditions has affected the bite. The last trout plant of the season went in last week but a few good catches have been made over the past week.

The top trout reported was a 4-8 rainbow caught by Joe Watanabe, Fountain Valley, as part of a five-fish stringer that weighed in at 13-8. He was fishing chartreuse Nitro Bait at Three Pipes. On Tuesday this week, Jeremy Hicks, Orange, landed a 3-12 rainbow, while David Factor, La Mirada, caught five trout to 3-8. Both were fishing at Levitz' Corner.

Starting this week, there is an ongoing big fish contest with a $100 gift certificate given away each week on Sunday afternoon. The winning angler can use the certificate only at the new Jimmy's Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Supply, just around the corner from SARL on Tustin Avenue. The week's winner will be posted at 4 p.m. each Sunday.

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 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 24-hour passes are now sold every Friday and Saturday and remain just $60. Anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. For Memorial Day weekend, there will also be 24-hour fishing Sunday night. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.