Corona Lake filled up quickly with the torrential rains the past two weeks, but the water is still muddy with this runoff. While the off-color water slowed the trout action appreciably, patient anglers fishing scented, light-colored baits are still getting a fair number of rainbows. Planting has not been altered and the trout are still being stocked each week. The best way to get the trout is to fish the floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers with scent and on a short leader so they are not more than six to 12 inches off the bottom of the lake. The trout are cruising close to the bottom and this keeps the bait and scent trail when the trout are mostly likely to find the offering. "With a lot less fishing pressure last week due to the rain, there are a great number of trout left over from the previous stocking," said Chris Elliott at Corona. The good news about the high, off-color water is that the catfish and sturgeon bites both seem to turn on with these conditions. "I was talking to two fishermen on a pontoon boat, and they told me one of them was catching trout and the other was catching catfish," said Elliott on Sunday. In fact, the top fish reported this past week was an eight-pound sturgeon landed by Aaron Palmer of Orange. Anglers who want to call ahead to check on conditions and the status of the bite can call the bait shop at 951-277-3321.

Corona Lake 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 pay only $20. 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 now only available on weekends nearest the full moon. They cost just $60, and anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. Camping at Corona Lake is also free with a 24-hour pass. For Corona Lake fishing information, call 951-277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com