Shrimp top bait for cats at Santa Ana River Lakes
The catfish bite is hot at Santa Ana River Lakes thanks to plants coming in twice a week. Limits have been common, and the top action this past week has been on shrimp fished at Levitz' Corner.

The top catfish was a seven-pounder caught by Eric Apelian, Lakewood, on shrimp at Levitz' Corner. One of the best stringers, a 10-fish, 26-pound catch by Jonathan Ahumada, Bellflower, was caught on -- you guessed it -- shrimp at, that's right, Levitz' Corner. His best fish was a five-pounder. Stan and Glenda Corona, Orange, had 14 fish that weighed 24-pounds on the same bait from the same place.

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 at the tackle shop at Santa Ana River Lakes.

Sturgeon are coming for the big Warm Water Grand Opening June 19-21, which is Father's Day weekend. This will be the 1st time at the Lakes that Sturgeon will be stocked for CATCH AND KEEP fishing. There will also be bonus plants of channel catfish, including trophy fish, along with tilapia. More details to come about the sturgeon along with fishing tips, handling and cleaning info along with some great recipes. Sturgeon is some of the best tasting fish you can eat and these sturgeon are specially raised for gourmet restaurants.

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 Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com