Anglers are seeing a continued hot channel catfish bite at Santa Ana River Lakes thanks to the continued warm weather and the weekly plants of Silver King cats from the Imperial Catfish Farm. There also continues to be a good number of quality cats each week from plants of trophy fish made in September.

The best catfish reported was a six-pounder that topped off an eight-fish, 31 1/2-pound stringer of cats landed by Santiago Palacios, West Covina, on shrimp at the road. Jerry Perez, Santa Ana, had nine cats for 20 1/2 pounds fishing mackerel and nightcrawlers and his best fish was a 3 1/2 pounder. Mike Banks, Orange, landed four cats for 10 1/2 pounds, while Tom Bickley, Los Angeles, had five cats for 10 pounds.

A few carp and sturgeon also continue to show. Quinn Hickman, Riverside, landed the top fish of the week, a sturgeon at 12 pounds fishing a hot dog with garlic off La Palma Point, while Yoslynn and Yousria Paredes, Long Beach, had five carp for eight pounds from the Catfish Lake. 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.