The huge blue catfish that lurk in the depths of Irvine Lake just couldn't wait for the scheduled June 8 Catfish Opener, and went on a biting spree this week that felt just like summer. "The big blue catfish to over 40 pounds have been very active", reported Jimmy Getty in the Pro Shop. "With the clear conditions and water temp in the mid-60's, they have been up in the shallows chasing the bass and bluegill. We are also seeing a sharp upswing in the number of channel catfish being checked in; the fish can't seem to wait for our scheduled Catfish Opener on June 8."

Getty added, "We recommend nothing less than 30-pound test line, and at least a size 4/0 circle hook for the blues. Use almost a whole mackerel fillet with no sinker at all. There have been big fish cruising the shallows near Rocky Point and all along the west shore."

Anglers are reminded that Irvine Lake has a voluntary release policy on catfish over 10 pounds, and mandatory release on catfish over 20 pounds. Anglers who release a catfish over 20 pounds will get a free pass to the lake, and lucky anglers who release a catfish over 50 pounds will also get a certificate for a free boat rental. All bass species are also catch-and-release only at Irvine Lake.

Periods of heavy rain may cause the lakeside roads to close. It generally takes about 24 hours of drying time after the rain halts before the roads can be re-opened to vehicle traffic. Be sure to call the Pro Shop [714-649-9111] for up to the minute road conditions.

Local guide Hubert Zimara of KFGS Service reported that warm temperatures saw the trout slide a little deeper. "Trolling has been wide open for a lot of anglers", observed Zimara. "Fish that were at 1 to 3 colors of leadcore line went down to 3 to 5 colors. Many of our trout and steelhead have been nice 2 to 5-pounders."

A new Irvine Lake "Masters" champion was crowned on Saturday when Anthony Aguilar of Orange topped the invitation-only competition with a 2-2 rainbow. Aguilar pocketed $1,000 cash, and took home a one-year pass to the lake, a Danny Kadota rod, Daiwa reel, and more goodies.

Trout trollers scored on a variety of lures, including firetiger-color Rapala Countdown CD05's, red/chartreuse or shad-color Rapala Ultralight Shad ULS04's, and brook trout-color Rapala Jointed J05's.

In addition to the big blue catfish, some whiskerfish chasers have set their sights on the surging numbers of resident channel catfish that the lake offers. Several heavy limits were turned in by anglers flylining smaller pieces of mackerel in the same general areas where the trophy blue cats are being found. Lots of crappie are being caught incidentally by trout trollers. Bluegill are moving up into the shallows and can be caught with redworms under a bobber.

Serious bass anglers are being exceptionally tight-lipped, due to the upcoming open bass tournament scheduled for April 27. Recreational-level bassers are finding very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth on dropshot baits in 5 to 15 feet of water all over the lake. A few nice 10-pound class wipers were caught by catfish anglers offering shrimp instead of mackerel.

The 2012 Catfish Opener will be June 8, with thousands of pounds of channel catfish stocked, and the beginning of the summer schedule. Families with children age 12 and under found decent action on trout using pink/white Berkley Mice Tails.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Ronson "Catmando" Smothers of Los Angeles, 47-8 and 32-6 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at the flats
Terry "Pontoon" Lairson of Huntington Beach, 29-10 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at the west shore
Dan Pinel of Orange, 25-4 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at the west shore
Nick Vega of Garden Grove, 23-14 and 12-14 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at Rocky Point
Robbie Ferreira of San Pedro, 20-15 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at Sierra Cove
Ken Heaton of Orange, 12-12 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at Rocky Point
Robert Scott of Orange, 6-6 and 5-12 channel catfish on mackerel at Sierra Cove
Kevin Conod of Tustin, 7-8 steelhead on a Power Worm at the dam
Anthony Aguilar of Orange, 2-2 rainbow trout [Masters Winner] on a Rapala at mid-lake
Don Spencer of Garden Grove, 9-0 largemouth bass [released] on a darthead at the cliffs
Steve Hathaway of Anaheim, 11-2 and 10-1 hybrid striped bass [released] on shrimp at Sierra Cove
Marc Capueleto, Robbie Ferreira, Dan Pinel of San Pedro, 15-channel catfish stringer totaling 82-5 on mackerel at the west shore
Nick Vega and Ken Heaton of Huntington Beach, 10-channel catfish stringer totaling 40-2 on mackerel at Rocky Point