The fishing started off slowly for the big "opener" event this past Thursday at Santa Ana River Lakes, despite a heavy stocking of trophy trout. This was most likely due to water being pumped into the lake too quickly, according to lake staff and local anglers. After Thursday, however, the bite steadily improved and was very good by the weekend with many limits showing. Catfish action is also good with a few quality cats showing.

By Sunday, the rainbow trout bite was very good with the best action on white lightning Nitro Bait, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers all dipped in Nitro Grease or Nitro Gravy. The hot spot for trout this past week was at the bubble hole, with the sandy beach and the road also producing fish.

John Kish, Baldwin Park, caught the top rainbow this week at 9-4 on a Lip Ripperz fishing at Levitz' Corner. Ben Bautista, Montrose, caught an 8-0 trout on a Kastmaster at La Palma Point. Matt Thomas, Riverside, caught a 7-8 rainbow on a Lip Ripperz fishing near the boat dock. Alex Rojas, Paul Kish, and Jammie Chin, all of Baldwin Park, teamed up to catch 16 trout totaling 36-0 with fish to 3-0.

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.

??Pavel Aluarado, Riverside, caught the top catfish this week at 7-0 on a nightcrawler at La Palma Point.

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. The lake will be planted every Wednesday for the remainder of trout season.