IRVINE LAKE ANNOUNCES TROUT OPENER FOR NOVEMBER 6;
BONUS 5000-POUND STOCKING OF TROPHY BLUE CATFISH SLATED FOR NEXT WEEK
Irvine Lake's annual trout season opening day will be Friday, November 6, with 20,000 pounds of trout planted just prior to the opener. For the first time ever, Thursday November 5 will be "VIP Day", and for $150, members of the public will be allowed to fish a day ahead of everybody else. Price includes a New York Steak lunch, and shared motor boat rental [5-trout limit in force]. Advance reservations are required for VIP Day; call Daniela at the Pro Shop [714-649-9111] no later than October 28.

The end of next week will see a bonus stocking of 5,000 pounds of surplus broodstock blue catfish in the 8 to 20-plus pound class, just in time for Labor Day. Anglers are reminded that Irvine Lake has a voluntary release policy for blue catfish over 10 pounds, and a mandatory release policy for all catfish over 20 pounds. Lucky anglers who release a big whiskerfish over 20 pounds will receive a free lake pass, and extremely fortunate [or skilled] anglers who release a cat exceeding 50 pounds will also receive a free motor boat rental.

As for action on the lake this week, locating the fish was the first order of the day for anglers at Irvine Lake this week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "Once you get on top of the fish, it can be pretty easy limits of catfish in as little as 30 minutes", observed Getty. "The key is to keep moving. If you aren't getting bites, move to another spot. You really have to be on 'em, otherwise it can be a slow pick."

Most of the catfish are prime eating-size 2 to 6 pounders, with a liberal sprinkling of larger fish into the double-digits. Best baits for the whiskerfish have included mackerel, shrimp, Gulp! and DuMong's, with good catches tallied at Sierra Cove, Santiago Flats and the west shore.

Anglers who target crappie are finding limit-style action on slabs to 1.5 pounds. Daytime anglers are drifting with the wind, while night-time anglers should set out a floating lantern and wait for the food chain to build up underneath the boat. White Atomic Tubes or 2-inch Gulp! minnows are the hot ticket.

Bass fishing continues to be really good, with excellent numbers of largemouth ranging from 1 to 8 pounds being caught and released. Best bet is worming at 15 to 20 feet on main lake points, or topwaters like Rapala Skitterpops when the fish are found working balls of shad.

Plenty of bluegill and redear are on tap, with some anglers catching fish full speed via fly fishing or "fly and bubble" techniques. Traditional mealworm and waxworm presentations are also catching good numbers of the panfish.

The Kids Lagoon remains slow. Surface temperature in the main lake is 78 degrees, with the water level dropping approximately 2 feet in the past week. The lake is open until 11:00 PM on Thursday nights, until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, and closed on Tuesdays during the summer season.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Bill Hildebrandt of Anaheim, 11-14 catfish on mackerel at the flats
- Terry "Pontoon" Lairson of Huntington beach, 11-7 catfish on mackerel at the flats