Find the right spot for Irvine Lake catfish to 16-0
It seems self evident, but being on the right spot was the key to catfishing success this week at Irvine Lake, according to Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "If you're on 'em, you're on 'em", quipped Getty. "The good catfish spots are in 10 to 40 feet of water along the west shore, Rocky Point, Santiago Flats and near the dam. They are hitting on mackerel, skipjack, shrimp, and bonito. Most of the catfish on the stringers are ranging from 2 to 6-pounds, but the bigger units are there to be caught. The evening temperatures are a lot cooler this week, it is important to dress in layers."

Crappie anglers are finding fewer overall numbers of fish, but the average size of the slabs has moved upward to about 1.5 pounds. White Atomic Tubes remain the best crappie tempter. Bluegill and redear are still biting on mealworms and waxworms.

Bass fishing remained very good, with 2 to 4-pound largemouth hitting on dropshot and Texas-rigged plastics, along with Spider Jigs in 12 to 15 foot depths along almost any bassy-type structure. Some bass chasers reported releasing 15 or more fish for a morning's effort.

The Kids Lagoon was slow for families with children age 12 and under. The main lake level is receding at the rate of about one foot per week, and the surface water temperature is 72 degrees.

The final late-night catfish session of the season will be Saturday night October 31, and the lake will be open normal hours on Sunday November 1. The lake will be closed to the public November 2 through 5 to prepare for the trout season opener. Irvine Lake's 2010-11 trout season will begin on Friday, November 6, with some 20,000 pounds of trout planted before opening day.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included;

- Eric Hagen of Orange, 16-0 catfish on mackerel at the flats
- Ronson "Catmando" Smothers of Los Angeles, 15-6 catfish on mackerel at the west shore
- Brandon Hairston of Los Angeles, 13-0 catfish on mackerel at the west shore
- Lloyd Lands of Lynwood, 9-1 catfish on shrimp at boat dock cove
- Phil Hildenbrandt and Daniel Lebouef of Villa Park, 10-catfish limit totaling 47-1, on mackerel at the flats