Plenty of healthy-size trout were on the menu this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "We have checked in a boatload of beautiful plump 2 to 3-pounders this week," observed Getty. "The trout bite overall is very good; the fish are spread out all over the lake, and are hitting on just about every legitimate trout fishing technique."

Getty added, "We will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve [12/24]; CLOSED on Christmas Day [12/25]; open regular hours on New Years Eve [12/31-gates close for campers at 6:30 PM]; and open regular hours on New Years Day [1/1], so come on out and catch the first fish of the year!"

Trollers checked in with good catches from the west shoreline, Trout Island, and mid-lake. Productive lures included the dependable firetiger-color Rapala Countdown CD05's, firetiger X-Rap Shad XRS04's, brook trout-color or orange/gold jointed Rapala J05's and J07's, or firetiger-color Rapala Ultralight Shad ULS04's.

Bait dunkers found best action at Boat Dock Cove, Woody's Cove, and Santiago Flats. Variable water clarity dictated changing bait leader lengths from 12 to 20 inches, with areas of decreased clarity needing the shorter leaders. Top Power Bait colors included salmon egg-red, chartreuse garlic, and hatchery pellet, with the addition of Bite-On garlic scent being popular.

Very few bass anglers ventured out this week, and none reported in with any catches. Ditto no reports of hybrid striped bass, crappie, or catfish.

Families with children age 12 and under did very well in the freshly-stocked Kids Lagoon on trout in the 1 to 3-pound class. A "Kids Tagged Fish Derby" will run through January 2, with tagged fish from the Lagoon redeemable for great prizes. Surface temperature on the main lake is 53-55 degrees, with underwater clarity varying from 1 to 10 feet.