The facts are simple: There will be more trout over 10 pounds caught at Santa Ana River Lakes this coming weekend than all of the Sierra Nevada for the opening of trout season. If it's about catching fish for you, save all that gas money, the motel and camping hassles, and avoid the cold nights and come to the Sierra Trout Opener event at SARL.

The lakes' complex will be stocked with huge Mt. Lassen Trout Farm's rainbow trout over 20 pounds, lots of pan-sized rainbows, the beautiful Lightning Trout, and pink-meated Donaldson-strain steelhead. And don't forget there's also a chance to hook a sturgeon over 100 pounds. Last year, there were 21 trout over 10 pounds weighed in, including a 22 3/4-pounder. Do you really want to make that long drive up Highway 395?

The trout action is just now turning back on at Santa Ana River Lakes after a rain-caused lull this past week. With the warmer weather, the fish are congregating in deeper water. Shore anglers need to make long casts to get further out in the lake, and the hot spots have been the Bubble Hole, the Sandy Beach, and Chris' Pond. Boat anglers are having an easier time getting limits of fish with most still fishing in the deep water off the Bubble Hole or trolling with Rapalas, Roostertails or Thomas Bouyants in the same area.

Even with just fair action this past week, there were nine rainbows over the 10-pound mark caught. the biggest was a 14.4-pounder caught by Hank Brady, Anaheim, to top off a three-fish stringer that weighed in at 27 1/2 pounds landed at three pipes on nightcrawlers. James Guibault, Garden Grove, had a 14-pound rainbow on a jig at the net in Chris' Pond. Mike Lopez, Paramount, caught a 12 1/2-pound rainbow, also on a jig in Chris' Pond, and Keith Jung, Stanton, topped off his three-fish, 20-pound stringer with a 12-pounder caught on floating bait at the spillway.

The huge sturgeon planted last month have become almost uncatchable -- not unhookable, but unlandable. Anglers are seeing and hooking the fish daily at the lakes, but one hasn't been landed in over a week. The fish range from 50 to 150 pounds. The big bottom feeders are being hooked on shrimp, nightcrawlers, mackerel, and even the floating trout dough baits. The problem is that they make long runs and roll up on the line and break off.

Anglers are reminded that if they hook and land on of these bruisers, they are catch-and-release only -- but there is a reward for the catch. The $200-value prize package includes two free gate passes ($40 value), a free pontoon boat rental ($85 value), and a top-quality Eagle Claw fishing combo that includes a graphite catfish rod, multi-ball bearing spinning reel, and spool of Lazer line ($75 value).

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 $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes will be available one weekend a month on the Friday and Saturday night nearest the full moon. -- and that also just happens to fall this Sierra Trout Opener weekend. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45.

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