Santa Ana River Lakes trout action is very good, catfish coming May 20
Plants of trophy Nebraska Tailwalkers from Chaulk Mound Trout Ranch and bonus Sierra Bows from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms were planted in Santa Ana River Lakes keeping the trout action sizzling hot this past week, but the trout have moved to deeper, cooler water and anglers have adjusted their fishing tactics accordingly.

The top rainbow reported was an 11-pound Tailwalker caught by lake-regular Gary Lamori of La Puente while fishing a small trout jig from shore off La Palma Point, hurling it far out into the lake. Lamori also had a seven-pounder on his stringer.

Manuel Peneda, Los Angeles, was fishing chartreuse dough bait from the sandy beach to land a nine-pound Tailwalker, while eight-pounders were caught by George Sims, Laguna, and David Dorman-Kelly, Long Beach. The eight-pounders were both caught off Levitz' Corner, one on floating bait and the other on an inflated nightcrawler, both fished deeply.

Bob Barr, Tustin, landed a 7 3/4-pounder, while rainbows at 7 1/2 pounds were caught by John Clarke, Buena Park, Evelino Silan, Placentia, Jerry Cruz, East Los Angeles, and Tyrone Carpenter, Buena Park.

A number of brown trout and sturgeon continue to show up on anglers' stringers. Gabriel Beas, Santa Ana, landed two brownst fishing chartreuse floating bait at Levitz' Corner, one at 5 1/2 pounds and the other at 2 1/2 pounds, while Tony Valle, Santa Ana, caught a 7 1/2-pound sturgeon off the sandy beach on floating bait.

Catfish season, which officially begins with the first big plant of the season May 20, has already started. Dave and Tim Beaver, Anaheim, came to the lakes to fish for trout but when a they started catching catfish on shrimp, they switched over and ended up landing six cats for 15 1/2 pounds total, including a 7-4, fishing near the docks. John Trujillo, City of Industry, also landed five catfish and his total stringer weight was 19 pounds with the top fish a 7 1/2-pounder, all caught on nightcrawlers.

Anglers are reminded that 24-hour fishing is again available every Friday and Saturday night throughout the late spring-summer season. There's one exception to the 24-hour open fishing, and that's coming up on Saturday, May 15th, when Team 57 has purchased the rights to 24-hour fishing on that Saturday night at Santa Ana River Lakes. To get in on 24-hour fishing this Saturday, you must be a member of Team 57. For complete information on this event and instructions for sign up, go to fishinglakes.com and click on the Team 57 announcement.

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 available every Friday and Saturday night are $60, and anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. Camping at the lakes is free with the 24-hour pass. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com