Santa Ana River Lake trout action continues hot with two more plants
Plants on Wednesday and Friday before Easter weekend led to continued excellent rainbow trout action at Santa Ana River Lakes over the holiday. The plants included Ruby Reds from Jess Ranch and Sierra Bows from Mt. Lassen Trout Farm, and they are showing on floating baits fished on light leaders.

The week's top trout was a 10-pound rainbow which topped off a five-fish limit caught by Larry Vselton of Garden Grove fishing rainbow floating bait near the pumphouse. He also had a six-pounder as part of the catch. Eladio Rodriguez, Alhambra, have five rainbows for a total of 17 1/2 pounds, and his top fish was a 6 1/4-pounder. All were landed on chartreuse dough bait at La Palma Point. George Tebelekian, Los Angeles, landed seven rainbows for 14 pounds, and his top fish was a six pounder.

Brown trout were planted three weeks ago, and anglers are still getting these red-spotted trout, especially anglers fishing small lures or jigs. Robert Puga, East Los Angeles, landed a 4 1/2-pound brown on floating bait, while a four-pounder was caught by Jack Kbdzhyan, Glendale, on a Roostertail.

There has continued to be a pretty fair bite on sturgeon, with the most recent plant of these fish also three weeks ago. Scott Chance, Placentia, landed an 11-pounder from Chris' Pond on a nightcrawlers, and Joyce Woodall, Norwalk, caught a three-pounder on the same bait and place. Few anglers are targeting the sturgeon, but nightcrawlers and shrimp have been the best baits for these fish.

Carp are also showing in pretty fair numbers, most being caught by trout anglers by accident. Jose Quintero, Riverside, caught an eight-pound carp to top off his 15 1/2-pound stringer that also included three trout. Jesse Gutierrez, Riverside, landed a seven-pound carp. Both anglers were using on chartreuse floating baits and fishing for trout.

Anglers landing a trout limit or a trout over five pounds can get a free one-year subscription to Western Outdoor News if they report their catch at the tackle shop and have photos taken. Existing subscribers can get half off on a one-year renewal.

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 passes is $22. Seniors only pay $20, with a special $17 pass sold on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. The 24-hour passes are sold once a month on Friday and Saturday nights nearest the full moon. These passes remain just $60. Anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com