Santa Ana River Lakes is celebrating the holidays by stocking the lakes with huge 18-wheelers filled with rainbow trout each week. There will also be trophy rainbows in the mix, including huge fish that might be big enough to break the current state record for rainbow trout.

The lakes is also hosting a toy drive for disadvantaged children through Dec. 31. Bring an unwrapped toy valued at $5 or more and receive a free entry into the first event of the new Lip RipperZ Trout Tournament series set to begin Dec. 31 at SARL. Buy in for the tournament is normally $20, in addition to lake fees, but if you donate a toy, the entry into the tournament is free. Complete details are available at LipRipperZ.com and FishingLakes.com.

Thanks to heavy plants the trout action has been very good over the past week with a steady succession of nice stringer of rainbows averaging 1 1/2 two to three pounds coming out of the lake complex. While most anglers are fishing the floating dough baits in bright colors and inflated nightcrawlers doused or pre-scented with garlic, the best action has been for anglers fishing the small jigs or trout plastics.

The big trout reported this past week was a 10 1/2-pounder landed by Ron Morlan, Anaheim, fishing a rainbow-colored floating bait in Chris' Pond. Craig Joachim, Anaheim, landed five rainbows for 13 1/2 pounds, including a four-pounder, fishing nightcrawlers in the big lake. Art Villa and Patrick Gray, both Covina, landed 10 rainbows for 23 1/4-pounds, also on nightcrawlers off La Palma Point. Gilbert Tam and Ed Jensen, both Santa Ana, had 13 trout for 30 pounds at the Bubble Hole.

The big fish of the week was a 100-pound class sturgeon caught and released by Patrick Pham, Huntington Beach, while fishing mackerel for catfish at three pipes.