Trout fishing was excellent this week at Santa Ana River Lakes. That fishing will only get better after this week's plant of trophy rainbows in the 10 to 20 pound range -- maybe even bigger. The catfish action has been good as well but with most anglers are targeting trout.

"The guys at Mt. Lassen said they had more trophy trout than ever before, and we said, 'bring 'em on.' So, the first batch of the big boys is coming this week," said Doug Elliott at Santa Ana River Lake.

Elliott was also hopeful this might be the season that a rainbow trout bigger than the state record and topping 30 pounds might be caught at SARL.

The bite for rainbows is excellent on trout dough baits or mini jigs smeared in Nitro Grease. Quite a few trout are also showing on nightcrawlers dipped in garlic Gravy. The hot spots this past week have been the bubble hole, Levitz' Corner, the pump house, the spillway, Three Pipes, and Chris' Pond.

Dan Fernandez, Carson, caught a 12-4 rainbow to top his five fish stringer totaling 19-0. Oscar Mendoza, La Mirada, caught an 11-8 trout. Bill Leige, Whittier, caught an 11-0 trout. David Beaven, Fullerton, caught a 10-8 trout to top a 10 fish stringer totaling 25-8. Sam Forman, Los Angeles, caught a 10-4 rainbow at Chris' Pond. Martin Wall, Garden Grove, caught a 10-0 trout on a jig at Levitz' Corner. Chris Holguin, Montebello, caught a 10-0 rainbow at Chris' Pond. Sam Sybesma, Bellflower, caught an 8-8 trout at Chris' Pond. Michael Edwards, Monterey Park, caught a 10-0 trout at La Palma Point.

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

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 only once a month for trout season -- the weekend 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.