Catfish action remains very good with lots of limits reported. Many quality catfish are showing and another big sturgeon was caught this week.

??Catfish anglers have been having the most success while fishing from boats, especially in the deeper water. Top baits have been the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo and nightcrawlers with shrimp or garlic Nitro Gravy during the day. At night, the best baits have been shrimp or mackerel with Gravy. The best spots have been the Levitz Corner, Bubble Hole, the sandy beach, and the Catfish Lake.

??Ho Nguyen, Santa Ana, caught the top catfish this week at 17-8. Terry Neuk, Fullerton, landed an 11-8 cat. Raquel Reynolds, Costa Mesa, caught a 9-0 cat to top a 19-0 stringer. Long Jones, Garden Grove, caught a 7-8 catfish on mackerel. Jeff Catale, Santa Ana, caught a 7-0 cat on a nightcrawler with Gravy.

Top stringer of catfish this week weighed 45-8 and it was brought in by Jim Thompson, Mira Loma. Donald Smith, Los Angeles, landed 15 catfish totaling 31-0. Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, caught a 29-8 15 fish stringer. Alan Storer, Santa Ana, and Fred Storer, Riverside, teamed up for a 21-0 stringer. Ruben Villa, Santa Ana, landed 14 catfish totaling 22-0.

Top fish overall this week was caught by Theodore Coleman, Los Angeles, who landed a 150-pound sturgeon. Anglers are reminded that if they hook and land one of these bruisers, they are catch-and-release only -- but there is a reward for the catch. The $200-value prize package includes two free gate passes ($40 value), a free pontoon boat rental ($85 value), and a top-quality Eagle Claw fishing combo that includes a graphite catfish rod, multi-ball bearing spinning reel, and spool of Lazer line ($75 value).

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 $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes are available every week on Friday and Saturday nights. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45. The lake is planted with catfish each week.