Good catfish action at Santa Ana River Lakes with a flurry of double-digit fish caught this past week.

The big lake and Catfish Lake have been the best spots to fish with Chris' Pond being very difficult to fish because of the steep sides because of low water levels. The best baits continue to be mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, shrimp, and nightcrawlers, all dipped in Gravy. Anglers fishing from boats are still having the best success, especially with the lower water levels.

John Codrean, Fullerton, caught the top catfish this week at 16-8 on a nightcrawler near the pump house. Steve McWeeney, Costa Mesa, caught a 13-0 catfish on shad at Levitz' Corner. Preston Starnes, Fullerton, caught a 12.4-pound catfish on a nightcrawler at the boat dock. Bob Valencia, Downy, caught an 11-8 catfish on mackerel. Ce Khamphant, Anaheim, caught an 11-0 catfish on mackerel. Art Haynes, Costa Mesa, caught an 11-0 catfish on shrimp. Yoo Ray, Fullerton, caught a 10-0 catfish on mackerel. Francisco Garcia, Santa Ana, caught a 15 fish stringer of catfish totaling 31-0 with fish to 4-0 on the M&M combo at the boat dock. Mike Sargent, Buena Park, caught a stringer of cats totaling 39-0 with fish to 9-0 on mackerel at the bubble hole.??

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 Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of September. After this month the 24-hour passes will only be available once per month -- on the Friday and Saturday nights closest to the full moon. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45. The lake is planted with catfish each week.