The trout action has been very good at Santa Ana River Lakes with a lot of Lightning Trout from the plant two weeks ago, and the big load of Nebraska Tailwalkers just before the weekend, keeping the action sizzling.

There are two bits of information anglers fishing SARL will need to know. First, float tubes can be used again, thanks to special permission given to The Lakes by the water district. This applies only to tubes, not kayaks, canoes, or other craft, just float tubes. Complete details are on The Lakes web site at www.fishinglakes.com.

Second, Eagle Claw has just released its Premium Trout Bait with garlic scent added to the high-floating dough bait, and it is available in rainbow and chartreuse. This new bait has been particularly effective in the past few days.

The top rainbow reported this past week was a 7 1/2-pounder landed by Rodney Milliman, Azusa, while fishing off Levitz' Corner with a chartreuse dough bait. James Gutierrez, Carson, landed a 6 1/2-pounder. Dave and Tim Beaver, brothers from Anaheim, caught eight rainbows for a 30-pound stringer topped off with a 6 1/4-pounder on jigs off Levitz' Corner. Greg Samarin, Whittier, landed a five-pounder fishing chartreuse egg/white worm combo. Craig Joachim, Anaheim, had a pretty typical limit on nightcrawlers -- five fish weighing in at 14 pounds.

SARL and its sister water Corona Lake will have a large booth at this year's Fred Hall Show in Long Beach March 9-13. There will be free discount coupons given away from both lakes at this event for those who stop by the booth. There will also be a special announcement at this event.

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 pay only $20. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. There are 24-hour passes available the weekend nearest the full moon during trout season, with the next overnight fishing is set for March 18-19. These passes cost $60 and anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. Camping at SARL is also free with a 24-hour pass. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.