Irvine Lake sees water rolling in, and big trout to 15-2 rolling to the scales

Anglers visiting Irvine Lake this week were greeted with the inlet pipe in Sierra Cove going full blast, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "We should be getting water until almost the end of the month", observed Getty. "The lake has already come up at least 3 feet, and the total should be at least 10 vertical feet, which will put it just lapping at the edge of the West Shore Road."


Getty added, "The trout fishing has been very good overall. With the lake level coming up so fast, the fish have moved up very tight to the shoreline, so the shore anglers have been doing as well or even better than the boaters. The very clear water also means that longer leaders in the 18-20 inch range are needed, and nothing heavier than 2 or 4-pound test leader material."


Most trout on the stringers have been 2 to 6-pound rainbows, with some bigger 'bows and a few steelhead from 7 to 15 pounds keeping things exciting. Some Yosemite reds to 4 pounds, and a handful of brown trout in the same category were also weighed in.


Best areas were along the West Shore Road, and also in Sierra Cove where the water is coming in. Productive baits included PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and combinations of the two. Trollers went for more natural colors, and silver Rapala Scatter Rap SCRCD07's or brook trout-color Jointed Rapala J05's have been getting a lot of bites.


Bass fishing was phenomenally good for male fish in the 2 and 3 pound range setting up spawning beds, but the larger females remain off the beds at 5 to 15 feet. A variety of techniques, including Senkos, dropshot, and various plastics are working well. The rising water caused last week's crappie schools to move around quite a bit, causing a temporary lull in the bite.


The big "Berkley Cup" event will take place this coming Saturday March 29, with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. The Berkley "Spotter Boat" will also be traveling around the lake, handing out goodies to people seen using Berkley products.


Families with children age 12 and under did exceptionally well in the Kids Lagoon on 1 to 3 pound trout using pink/white Mice Tails and lime twist PowerBait with Trout Dust. The first night-time catfish session will be Friday, June 6. Surface temperature on the main lake is 62 degrees, with underwater visibility rated gin clear. The lake level is rising rapidly.


Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included;
Ray Rodriguez of Hawaiian Gardens, 15-2 rainbow trout on an Atomic Tube at the west shore
Jaimie Araugo of Riverside, 11-1 steelhead on PowerBait at the west shore
DJ Perez of Garden Grove, 4-5 Yosemite Red on a Rapala at the west shore
Gus Garcia of Santa Ana, 8-1 largemouth bass [released] on plastics at the west shore
Scott Noseworthy of Orange, 4-8 channel catfish on nightcrawlers at the west shore


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