Trout anglers are consistently taking home nice stringers of rainbows at Santa Ana River Lake with most trout running from 1 1/2 to three pounds with bigger fish being caught daily.

Top rainbow weighed in at the tackle shop this past week was an eight-pounder caught by Shane Darden, Laguna Niguel, fishing a green garlic floating bait in the Bubble Hole. Bob and Garrett Patterson, both Orange, landed trout at 6 1/2 and five pounds on inflated nightcrawlers with garlic scent added in Chris' Pond, while Chris Mukai, Diamond Bar, landed trout at 5 1/2 and four pounds on a nightcrawlers-floating bait combo at the boat docks. Desire and Jess Diamond, both Santa Ana, posted a 10-fish, 22 1/2-pound stringer fishing nightcrawlers and rainbows dough bait at the Bubble Hole, while Tony Lopez, East Los Angeles, weighed in five rainbows that weighed 17 pounds and included a five pounder fishing at Levitz' Corner with a floating bait. The best bite has been for anglers fishing floating dough baits, inflated nightcrawlers, or a combo of the two baits and then adding a garlic scent if the baits aren't pre-scented. The key to consistent action has been a light leader and moving the baits.

For catfish anglers, the bite is still perking along at SARL but getting little fishing pressure. Trino Magana, La Habra, was fishing with shrimp at the road and landed an 11-pounder.

Hefty weekly trout plants will continue right through the Christmas holiday. 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 each month on Friday and Saturday nights nearest the full moon. The next 24-hour fishing days are Dec. 9-10. 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.