Irvine Lake catfish chewing well; fishing hours extended for Labor Day Weekend

Plenty of catfish were on the stringers this weekend at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "Most of the catfish caught this week were the eating size 2 to 8-pounders", observed Getty. "The lake has changed since early in the summer, and many of the old spots are very shallow, so it is important to find the new areas where to fish are holding; when you do, getting a limit is not too difficult."

Getty added, "For this coming Labor Day weekend, we will be open until 11 PM on Thursday, until Midnight on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday night, and then from 6 AM- 4 PM on Labor Day [Monday].

Productive baits for catfish included mackerel, shrimp, bonito, and skipjack. Favored depths were 5-15 feet for most anglers, but those concentrating on large fish plied the deeper 20-25 foot depths. Good catches were reported form the west shore, Santiago Flats, mid-lake, and near the dam.

Bass fishing remains pretty good, with pattern varying from open-water schools of baitfish back to suspended fish on hard structure. The 2 to 4-pound largemouth are being caught on crankbaits, topwaters, jerkbaits, and dropshot-rigged plastics. Anglers are reminded that all bass species are strictly catch and release at Irvine Lake.

Plenty of crappie were seen under the lights at the boat dock, but few were caught this week. Lots of bluegill and redear sunfish were caught near submerged brush on meal worms and waxworms. Many of the panfish were just hand-sized, but an increasing number were larger specimens weighing up to a pound.

Families with children age 12 and under found very good numbers of small carp and 1 to 3 pound catfish in the Kids Lagoon on marshmallow/mealworm combos. Surface temperature on the main lake were 78-80 degrees, with the lake level dropping slowly. Underwater visibility was mixed. The West Shore Road is open to vehicle traffic.

The 2014-15 trout season public opener will be Friday, October 31. Thousands of pounds of trout will be stocked just prior to the date. A special limited-entry 'VIP Fishing Day' will take place on Thursday, October 30. Autumn operating hours from September 2 until the trout opener will be: Thursdays- 6 AM-11 PM; Fridays and Saturdays- 6 AM-Midnight; Sundays- 6 AM- 7 PM; Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays- CLOSED.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Stewart Smothers of Los Angeles, 13-12 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Nyla Smothers of Los Angeles, 11-9 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Jack Lander of Orange, 11-5 blue catfish on Bite-On at the flats
Don Spencer of Silverado, 3-12 largemouth bass [released] on plastics at Rocky Point

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