Irvine Lake catfish bite topped by 14-0 channel; catfish derby slated for September 13

Labor Day holiday anglers got an extra night fishing session this past week, and put it to good use hammering away at the lake's whiskerfish, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The fishing was very good for stocker-size 2 to 8-ppund catfish", observed Getty. "Best depth for them was about 5 to 20 feet, with anglers trying for the big ones dropping down 25 feet or more.


"On Thursday the fish bit mid-day, but for the rest of the weekend the action started at sundown. The catfish were hitting on all the usual baits, including mackerel, shrimp, bonito, and just lately skipjack has also been working, Strong scent like Bite-On or Berkley Catfish Dip has really helped. We are seeing stringers of catfish from all over; including the flats, mid-lake, the west shore, and the cliffs."


Getty added, "We will have our Last Chance Qualifier Catfish Derby on September 13." Bass anglers found very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth. The schools of baitfish have grown to the 3-4 inch size range, so a wide variety of crankbaits, buzzbaits, and poppers are now drawing strikes from the actively hunting bass. Best areas have been the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point.


Plenty of good-size bluegill and redear sunfish are being caught on mealworms and waxworms near submerged brush, but no crappie were checked in this week, nor were any wipers checked in.


Families with children age 12 and under found excellent numbers of 1 to 3-pound catfish in the Kids Lagoon on marshmallow/mealworm combos. Surface temperature on the main lake was 77=78 degrees, with underwater visibility rated gin clear. The water level is receding a few inches per week.


Lake hours from now until the Trout opener will be: Thursdays- 6 AM-11 PM; Fridays and Saturdays- 6 AM-Midnight; Sundays- 6 AM-6 PM; and CLOSED on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The 2014-15 public trout season opener will be on Friday, October 31, with thousands of pounds of trout planted. There will be a special limited entry "VIP Fishing Day" on Thursday, October 30.


Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Vincent Vu of Garden Grove, 14-0 channel catfish on mackerel at the west shore
Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 9-1 blue catfish on mackerel at the flats
Justin Emerson of Newport Beach, 4-9 largemouth bass [released] on a crankbait at Rocky Point


Follow Irvine Lake on Facebook, on the web at IrvineLake.net or call 714-649-9111