??Living up to the billing as being "better than the Eastern Sierra trout opener," the Santa Ana River Lakes again produced more and bigger trout than the entire Sierra region. While the big fish at SARL was a mere 14 3/4 pounds, that nearly doubled the size of the biggest fish caught in the Sierra.??

??With the warm weather continuing the trout are still 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 Buoyants in the same area.

The big trout was landed by Javier Roberts, Placentia, who had a 14 3/4-pound and 11 1/2-pound rainbows for a 26 1/4-pound stringer, both caught on jigs off the north shore. Manny Medina, La Mirada, caught a 13 1/4-pound trout on green dough bait. Davon Graham, Moreno Valley, caught a 12 1/2-pound trout on corn off the sandy beach. Nellie Moeslein, Costa Mesa, caught a six-fish stringer totaling 21-0 with the largest fish being 13-0 on rainbow Power Bait. Pedro Binna, Anaheim, caught two fish at 10-8 each. Pat O'Brien, Long Beach, caught a 9-8 trout on a jig at Bubble Hole.??

The huge sturgeon planted last month have become almost uncatchable -- not unhookable, but unlandable. 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. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45.

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