Trout season at Santa Ana River Lakes officially begins this Thursday, October 18, with a huge plant of trophy Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbows just for the event. These are the eight to 12-pound rainbows that have made SARL famous.

Trout fishing has already been good, and water temperature has been cooling with water being pumped back into the lake, which should only make the trout bite even better. Catfish action is still very good with several nice catches reported this week.

The rainbow bite is very good on dough baits with some fish showing on nightcrawlers and small trout jigs as well. Chartreuse, Rainbow, Lemon Lime, and Bumble Bee Nitro Baits have been the hot ticket. The best spot for trout this past week was at the bubble hole.

Tim Meyer, Yorba Linda, caught four trout totaling 11-0 with fish to 5-12 on a jig at the boat dock. Samantha Grimm, La Marada, caught five trout totaling 7-0 on nightcrawlers.

Catfish anglers fishing from boats are still having the best success. The big lake and Catfish Lake have been the best spots. The best baits have been mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, shrimp, and nightcrawlers, all dipped in Gravy.

Dustin Roberts, Fullerton, caught the top catfish this week, an 8-0 on a nightcrawler while fishing in Levitz' Corner. Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, caught ten catfish totaling 18-0, also out of Levitz' Corner. Alex Bishop, Van Nuys, caught 16 catfish totaling 51-0 on nightcrawlers fishing from boat.

Lots of small largemouth bass are showing, mostly in the Catfish Lake, on nightcrawlers and small Rapalas.??

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 Friday and Saturday night through October. They will be offered only once a month in November -- closest to the full moon. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45.