Irvine Lake water temperatures drop; trout bite perks up, topped by 8-14 brown

Dropping water temperatures got the trout moving around this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The shorter days and cool nights here have been causing the water temperature to drop about a half-degree per day", observed Getty. "We are seeing a lot of fish in the 4-pound class; both rainbows and about the most brown trout we have ever seen at Irvine Lake. The bite is spread out all day long, and the fish are feeding heavily on silversides and shad, so replicating those baitfish species is the key to doing well."


Getty added, "Our Shimano tournament event this weekend had first-place angler Russ Carr take home over $1700 in cash and prizes. Lake regular Scott Noseworthy is also a Shimano prostaffer, and so was ineligible to win in this tournament. Ironically, Noseworthy brought in an absolutely beautiful 8-14 brown trout that could not win him anything."


Good catches of trout were reported from the west shore, Trout Island, and mid-lake. Best bait for shorecasters was garlic or chartreuse garlic PowerBait fished on very light 2-pound test leaders. Trollers did well on pink or gold SC Shiners. Possibly the best action was seen by anglers tossing small metal lures like 1/8 to ?? ounce Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants because the fish are chasing the local baitfish. At least one angler did well by adding a Power Trout worm to his Kastmaster lure.


Bass anglers found good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth on dropshot-rigged plastics and reaction baits. Not surprisingly, bass anglers are also catching a good number of trout incidentally. Some bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish are also eating nightcrawlers intended for trout.


Families with children age 12 and under found moderate numbers of 1-3 pound rainbow and brown trout in the Kids Lagoon. Surface temperature on the main lake is 62-64 degrees, and dropping about a half-degree per day. Underwater visibility rated mixed, and the lake level rising about 6 inches per week. The lake will be closed on Thanksgiving Day [Thursday, November 27], and open regular hours the remainder of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.


Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included;
Scott Noseworthy of Orange, 8-14 brown trout on a mini jig at the west shore
Brad Reese of Villa Park, 6-8 brown trout on a crankbait at the west shore
Matt Ikeda of Gardena, 4-10 brown trout on a Kastmaster at the west shore
Russ Carr of Orange, 5-1 rainbow trout on PowerBait at the west shore


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