Anglers at Irvine Lake continued to do well on a variety of species, as the lake prepares for the June 6 opening of night-time catfishing sessions, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The Memorial Day holiday weekend was good all-around fishing", observed Getty. "The trout fishing was helped by mild weather and water that is still very clear. Just about everyone who tried for catfish got them, and the bass fishing was good for the better-skilled anglers."


Getty added, "We will stock thousands of pounds of big channel catfish during the week just before the June 7 night-fishing opener. Of course, we also have a large population of resident channel catfish, and plenty of huge blue cats from 10 to 60 pounds or more. In the week leading up to the opener, we will be CLOSED on Tuesday June 3, and then starting on June 7, the lake hours will be: Fridays and Saturdays- 6 AM to Midnight; Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays- 6 AM to 4 PM, Thursdays- 6 AM to 11 PM; CLOSED on Tuesdays.


Bass anglers found that doing well with their quarry was very location-specific. Those getting on the fish found very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth, along with a few larger bucketmouths. Catches were notched on plastics and reaction baits, with the larger specimens falling to swimbaits and wake baits. Catfish chasers did best soaking mackerel at 25 feet at Santiago Flats.


Trout anglers still found very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound rainbows, although the fish are sliding deeper in the water column. A few trout were caught by topliners trolling at 5 feet, but best results were seen trolling with downriggers or 4 colors of leadcore line. Best lures for trout trolling were cop-car color Luhr Jensen Needlefish, along with Rapala Jointed J05's in brook trout color.


Families with children age 12 and under found fair action on catfish and trout in the Kids lagoon. Surface temperature on the main lake is 74-76 degrees, with underwater visibility rated very clear. The water level is receding a few inches per week, and parts of the west shore road are starting to emerge. It is estimated that the West Shore Road will not be open to vehicle traffic until late July at the earliest. The "King of the Cats" catfish tournament will take place on Saturday, June 7.


Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included;

Elias Lopez of Hesperia, 10-0 rainbow trout on a Rapala at mid-lake
James Getty of Silverado, 6-4 largemouth bass [released] on an OD Rat at the west shore
Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 7-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats


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