The catfish action stayed hot with lots of nice stringers reported again this past week at Santa Ana River Lakes.

The hot spots this past week were Levitz' Corner and the road near the bubble hole. The best baits continue to be mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, and nightcrawlers, with many anglers adding shrimp, anchovy, or garlic Nitro Gravy. Anglers fishing from boats are still having the best success, especially during the day.

Doug Bader, Orange, had an outstanding week of fishing. For one day of fishing, he purchased three 24-hour passes and filled his limit on all three passes. The combined weight of these 45 fish was a whopping 215 pounds with the top fish at 12-0, the best cat of the week. If that wasn't enough, Bader returned later in the weekend, and landed another 15 fish limit totaling 60 pounds with fish to 8-0. Bader reported all of the catches on mackerel fishing at either Levitz' Corner or near the road.

There were several other nice catches this week as well. Josh Lovejoy, Ahaheim, caught ten catfish totaling 40-0 on mackerel at La Palma Point. Saravutle Kar, Carson, caught 15 catfish totaling 45-0 with fish to 8-0 on mackerel at the sandy beach. Ken Alarcon, Covina, caught a five fish limit totaling 14-8 on mackerel at Levitz' Corner. Jeff Cadale, Santa Ana, caught six cats totaling 14-0 on nightcrawlers at Levitz' Corner.

No sturgeon were landed this week, but 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.