The parade of quality catfish continued to stream out of Santa Ana River Lakes this past week, and weekly plants of fish have kept stringers full for anglers fishing this popular Orange County complex.

The big fish reported was a 12-pounder landed by Mike Manley, Anaheim, fishing mackerel at Levitz' Corner, and he also caught an eight-pounder off La Palma Point. Varian Virgen, Buena Park, caught an 11 3/4-pounder to top off his 42 3/4-pound, six-fish stringer landed at the pump house on mackerel. Vanessa Lemus, La Puente, had a 10-pounder at the road, also on mackerel, while Gina Eugenio and Erwin Mandani, both of Orange, had three cats with a six-pounder the top fish, all on shrimp. Typical stringers of five fish have weighed between eight and 12 pounds, but having a kicker fish or two is pretty common. John Benson, Huntington Beach, landed his five catfish from the Bubble Hole on mackerel from a boat and the stringer weighed in at 18 pounds. Arturo Hernandez, Paramount, landed a nine-pound, five-fish stringer from the Catfish Lake on mackerel and his best fish was a three-pounder.

The catfish plants are continuing each week, but the water temperatures are dropping and it won't be long before trout season kicks off, probably around the first of November. Rainbow trout prefer water below 70 degrees and do best with the temperatures are in the low 60s or cooler. Anglers should keep an eye on The Lakes website (www.fishinglakes.com) to get the latest on when trout season will kick off here.

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 every Friday and Saturday. These 24-hour 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.