IRVINE LAKE CATFISH ACTION ROLLS ON; 16-0 BLUE CAT TOPS CATCHES
Plenty of healthy catfish are on the stringers at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "We are seeing more of the better fish in the 8-pound class get active right before sundown", reported Getty.

Best baits for the whiskerfish were mackerel and shrimp this week, and good catches were reported mostly from boat dock cove and Santiago Flats. Most of the cats were ranging from 2 to 8 pounds, with a sprinkling of bigger fish into the double-digits keeping things interesting.

Some 5,000 pounds of broodstock blue catfish in the 8 to 20-plus pound range were planted last week. Irvine Lake maintains a voluntary release policy on blue catfish over 10 pounds, and a mandatory release policy on all catfish over 20 pounds. Lucky anglers who release a fish over 20 pounds will receive a free lake pass.

Bass fishing remains excellent, with big numbers of 2 to 5-pound largemouth being released. Most bassers are using plastics or reaction baits, with fish being caught at depths from zero to 20 feet in brushy areas and main lake points.

Very few crappie anglers were out this week, but lots of bluegill and redear were caught on mealworms and waxworms.

The Kids Lagoon is kicking out numerous 1 to 3-pound catfish for families with children age 12 and under. The main lake water level is dropping slowly, with a surface temperature of 75 degrees.

The lake is open until 11:00 PM on Thursdays until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, and is closed on Tuesdays. The General Trout Season Opener will be Friday, November 6, with 20,000 pounds of trout planted prior to the opener.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Jessica Taylor of Orange, 16-0 catfish on mackerel at boat dock cove
- Bradley Sampson of Lakewood, 11-6 catfish on mackerel near the dam