The catfish action remains very good with many nice stringers showing at Santa Ana River Lakes this week.

??The hot spots were the sandy beach, the Catfish Lake, the boat dock, Levitz' Corner, the pump house, and Chris' Pond. The best baits have been mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, nightcrawlers, shrimp, and shad, all dipped in gravy. Anglers fishing from boats are still having the best success during the day, especially in the deeper water, while the shore fishing has been very good at night.

??Frank Tarrillo, Fullerton, caught the top catfish this week at 13-0 on mackerel at Catfish Lake. David Renolds, Anaheim, caught an 11-0 catfish to top his 22-0 stringer of five fish. Renolds was fishing with nightcrawlers at Catfish Lake. Mario Davila, Fullerton, caught two catfish and two tilapia for a combined total of 9-8 on nightcrawlers at the boat dock. Perwin Dizon, Chatsworth, caught five catfish totaling 12-0 on the M&M combo at Levitz' Corner. Charlie Richards along with Krysten and Mark Chance, all of Placentia, caught seven catfish totaling 13-0 on mackerel at the sandy beach.

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 Thursday through Saturday nights. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45. The lake is planted with catfish each week.