Good numbers of trout were on tap at Irvine Lake for most of the week, reported legendary trout expert Marlon Meade. "Fishing was good all week, up until the wind hit on Saturday", observed Meade. "The bite for the Masters Tournament was a little slow due to the wind, and the lake temperature rose 5 degrees in the past week."

Most of the trout on the stringers this week were in the 1 to 4 pound class. Bait dunkers did best with rainbow or chartreuse Power Bait or nightcrawlers on an 18 inch leader. The most productive locations were the west shore and the flats. Trollers should begin dragging Rapalas on a few colors of leadcore line with the rising water temperatures.

The annual Irvine Lake Masters Tournament was held this weekend, with this year's new champion being Marcello Cannon of Granada Hills. Cannon bested an 8-8 rainbow trout while using the Power Bait/nightcrawler combination in Woody's Cove, and took home $1000 cash, a one-year pass to Irvine Lake, a Daiwa Exceler Reel, Black Rock Kadota Trout Rod, and of course got to wear the traditional green Master's Jacket.

Crappie anglers have a lot going for them this week, with some limit catches being made on slabsides to over 2 pounds near submerged brush at 6 to 8 feet. The crappie are just beginning their spawning ritual, and are hitting best on white Atomic Tubes.

Bass anglers are finding excellent numbers of fish at 15 to 18 feet in bass habitat all over the lake. Largemouth in the 2 to 5-pound category are hitting mainly on plastics, and bassers are doing especially well in Woody's Cove and Sierra Cove. Catfish anglers found their quarry by soaking chicken liver or mackerel in muddy areas of Santiago Flats.

The Kids Lagoon is kicking out very good numbers of trout for families with children age 12 and under who are tossing Power Bait or nightcrawlers with Gulp! Garlic Spray.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Marcello Cannon of Granada Hills, 8-8 rainbow trout [Masters Tournament Winner] on Power Bait/nightcrawler combo at Woody's Cove
Marty Saucedo of Huntington Beach, 4-5 channel catfish on chicken liver at the flats