IRVINE LAKE ROADS MAY OPEN BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON; 2,000 POUND PLANT OF HYBRID STRIPERS SLATED FOR THIS WEEK, AND ANOTHER 2,000 POUNDS FOR NEXT WEEK

The past week's extreme weather conditions around Irvine Lake have created muddy conditions that demand caution, and most lakeside roads will require up to 36 hours of drying time after the rains stop before vehicle traffic is resumed. In the meantime, a free pontoon shuttle for shore anglers is offered to popular fishing spots like the west shore, Trout Island, and Santiago Flats.

Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop reported on Wednesday morning, "It rained again last night, but no more rain is in the forecast until next Tuesday. If things do stay clear, the lakeside roads may open as early as Thursday afternoon."

Shore anglers are advised that water's edge is very slick, and boots are recommended. The water level is up 6 or 7 feet from last week, with water temperatures in the low 50's. Call the Pro Shop at 714-649-9111 for up to the minute road conditions, and a daily assessment of anticipated road openings. All Orange County public roads into the lake are wide open and accessible.

On the fishing front, a special bonus stocking of 2,000 pounds of hybrid striped bass [AKA sunshine bass or wipers] in the 1.5 to 2-pound class will be going into the lake on Friday of this week, and another 2,000 pounds on the following Friday. These fish will be strictly on a "catch-and-release" basis, the same as all other bass species in the lake.

Getty quipped, "These hybrid stripers are really cool, and they love to eat reaction baits and mini-jigs. Some trout anglers are going to get their behinds kicked!"

Trout anglers are doing best this week by moving to stained or muddy-water tactics, including very short 6 to 8-inch bait leaders, bright fluorescent bait colors, and strong garlic scents. Several days of total lake closure last week, coupled with dirty water conditions have meant slow action for most anglers. Nonetheless, quality-size trout and some nice full stringers have still been checked in. Boat Dock Cove has remained surprisingly clear compared to the rest of the lake.

Irvine Lake Pro-Team member Ken Lewis also offered some excellent general-application trolling tips: "Flat-lining Daiwa SC Shiners in pink, orange, or firetiger colors has been red hot early in the morning. When the trout are keying on shad, try the same lure in the prizm shad pattern. These lures perform best when trolled on 4-pound test line."

Lewis added, "The Daiwa DR Minnow is a great choice trolled on leadcore line early in the season, and in the spring months. Using 3 to 5 colors of leadcore line has been working to target the trout suspending in the 15 to 25-foot range."

Looking down the calendar, more good news is on the horizon for the week just before President's Day Weekend, when a bonus stocking of 5,000 pounds of the very popular steelhead-strain trout averaging nearly 5 pounds each will hit the lake. These drag-sizzling steelhead [often called silver bullets] are well-known to quickly snap the lines of unprepared anglers.

Also coming up in the month of February will be a "Win Free Gas for a Year" contest. The winner will be the angler who registers the largest trout during the month of February. See posted rules in tackle shop for details.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

Jose Garcia of Hawthorne, 20-1 carp on Power Bait at the west shore
John Gillabert of Santa Ana, 13-6 rainbow trout on a Rapala at mid-lake
Al Rotta of Lomita, 13-0 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the west shore
Pete Johnson of Irvine, 2-10 brown trout on a Rapala at mid-lake
Josh Stepp of Temecula, 2-8 brown trout on Power Bait at mid-lake