Very good
numbers of both rainbow and brown trout at Irvine Lake
this week were spiced up by a new lake record for one of the lake’s other
species, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. “Anglers in the USA sometimes
forget that the WORLD’S most popular game fish is none other than the common
carp”, observed Getty. “We had a new lake-record carp weighed in this weekend,
a 32-6 monster that hit a nightcrawler near the Red Clay Cliffs. Angler Larry
Woodward of Chino
fought the fish for 45 minutes on just 4-pound line. The IGFA World Record for
carp on 4-pound line is 38 pounds, so it’s a pretty impressive accomplishment.”
Getty
added, “The trout fishing has been very good overall for beautiful 2 and
3-pound class rainbows, and we have been getting an unusually high number of
really nice brown trout checked in too.”
Good
catches of trout were checked in from Boat Dock Cove, the west shoreline, Trout Island,
and Santiago Flats. Bait dunkers did best with 16-18 inch leaders, and Berkley
Mice Tails in white/pink, glow, and orange/silver chartreuse colors. Trollers
found success with Rapala Ultralight Shad ULS04’s in firetiger and clown colors.
Bass anglers continue to turn out
in decent numbers, but are being a little secretive about results. Moderate
numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth were confirmed for anglers using deep water
techniques like jigs and dropshot-rigged plastics at 30 feet on hard structure
like the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Other reports of larger bucketmouths
on swimbaits were unconfirmed. Anglers are reminded that all bass species are
strictly catch and release at Irvine
Lake.
Families with children age 12 and under
found good numbers of carp and 1 to 3-pound trout in the Kids Lagoon on
PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and marshmallow-mealworm combos. Surface temperature
on the main lake is 58-60 degrees. Underwater clarity is fairly good near the
west shore with 2-3 feet of visibility, but the water is somewhat stained at
Boat Dock Cove.
Outstanding catches
of the week at Irvine
Lake included:
Danny Pinel of San Pedro, 5-15 rainbow trout on
nightcrawlers at the west shore
Diego Gamboa of Hacienda Heights,
4-15 pound rainbow trout on Bite-On at Sierra Cove
Frosty Johnson of Los Angeles, 7-0 brown trout on a
Krocodile at Boat Dock Cove
Jim Thorpe of Laguna Woods, 5-8 brown trout on a Kastmaster
at the west shore
Barry Mains of Villa Park, 4-1 largemouth bass [released] on
a jig at Rocky Point
Larry Woodward of Chino,
32-6 carp [new lake record] on nightcrawlers at the Red Clay Cliffs
Mike Allhands of Downey,
12-10 carp on nightcrawlers at the west shore
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The
catfish beginning their fall migration toward deep water did not deter them
from biting, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. “The catfish are moving into
25 to 30 feet of water”, observed Getty. “There are still fish up shallow, but
they are mostly the smaller 2-pounders. The best bite time has been from about
5 PM to 10:30 PM.”
Getty
added, “We had Mark and Matt Woodward of Orange
check in with a heavy double-limit stringer of 10 channel catfish that weighed
a total of 48 pounds in deeper water out on the flats.”
Most
catfish on the stringers are prime eating-size 2 to 6-pound channel cats, along
with a few larger blue cats from 10 to 17 pounds. Good catches were reported
from Boat Dock Cove, Santiago Flats and the west shore. Productive baits
included mackerel, bonito, skipjack, and pike mackerel.
Bass
anglers found good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth, although the fish are
clearly making their autumnal move toward deeper waters of as much as 20-25
feet near Rocky Point and the Red Clay Cliffs. Some topwater fish are seen,
including a few boils, but the duration is diminishing. Deep structure tactics
like Texas-rigged plastics and jigs are the top producer. A few hybrid striped
bass were caught incidentally by catfish anglers.
Families with children age 12 and
under found good numbers of 1 to 3-pound catfish on mackerel, shrimp, and
nightcrawlers in the Kids Lagoon. Surface temperature on the main lake is
ranging from 79-81 degrees, with the water receding enough to expose the road
at Woody’s Cove.
New lake admission prices go into
effect as of October 1, 2012: Adults- $24; Seniors [Monday-Thursday]- $21; Kids
[age 4-12]- $11; Second-Limit
Pass- $19. Anticipation
is building for the Irvine Lake 2012-13 Trout Season opener, which is slated
for Friday, November 2. Some 20,000 pounds of trout will be planted just prior
to the opener, and a special limited-entry “VIP Fishing Day” will take place on
Thursday, November 1.
Outstanding catches
of the week at Irvine
Lake included:
Mark Woodward of Orange,
5-12 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Phil Hildebrandt of Anaheim,
17-5 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at the buoy line
Trevor Segal of Westlake
Village, 15-3 blue
catfish [released] on Bite-On at Rocky Point
Ronson Smothers of Los
Angeles, 7-8 wiper [released] on mackerel at mid-lake
Donnie Peterson of Anaheim,
4-5 largemouth bass [released] on 10-inch worm at Rocky Point
Mark and Matt Woodward of Orange, 10-catfish stringer totaling 48-3 on
mackerel at the flats
Follow Irvine Lake on Facebook,
on the web at IrvineLake.net or call 714-649-9111
Plenty of catfish were on tap at Irvine Lake this week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. “We has limit-style catfish action on Friday and Saturday night, with the warm water keeping all the fish in 15 feet of water or less right
here at Boat Dock Cove, and also over at the flats. Most of the catfish at the cleaning tables are prime “eating size” 2 to 6-pounders, with a few bigger ones around. We also had the biggest largemouth bass of the year, an 11-14 monster, inhale a 13-inch Upton custom plastic worm.”
Getty added, “All the usual baits were producing catfish, along with a couple of new choices; Bite On Shrimp, and ‘pike mackerel’ which you can sometimes buy in Asian fish markets.”
Bass fishing was a shallow and deep proposition, with morning anglers dropping deep with jigs, Carolina rigs, and dropshot rigs over humps and other structure. Evening anglers stayed shallow, throwing topwaters and 10-inch or larger plastic worms, for mostly 2 to 4-pound largemouth. Irvine’s bass population definitely holds some lunkers, as evidenced by the 11-14 whopper released on Saturday night.
Crappie chasers found some larger-grade slabs in the 1 pound and up class on white mini jigs fished at 15 to 20 feet under floating lanterns, with a few holdover rainbow trout also joining the party. Jumbo bluegill were also still hitting on Gulp! Crickets, and big carp were rolling around, but mostly snapping lines when hooked.
Families with children age 12 and under found good action on 1 to 3-pound catfish on mackerel or the M&M combo. Surface temperature on the main lake is 77-80 degrees. Underwater visibility at mid-lake is rated gin-clear, while Santiago Flats can get a bit murky after windy periods.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Terry “Pontoon” Lairson of Huntington Beach, 10-12 channel catfish on mackerel at the dam
Ben Griffith of Palmdale, 9-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Craig Wolfe of Orange, 7-2 channel catfish on mackerel at Boat Dock Cove
Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 2-6 rainbow trout on a meal worm at the west shore
Joe Nuinhuis of Newport Beach, 11-14 largemouth bass [released] on a 13-inch Upton’s Worm
5-year old Justin Mostero of San Juan Capistrano, 4-5 largemouth bass [released] on a Power Worm at Trout Island
Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 1-8 crappie on a meal worm at the west shore
Catfish anglers found red-hot catfish action this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. “The catfish bite has been phenomenal”, observed Getty. “A surprising number of catfish are being caught all day long, but when the sun goes down it goes absolutely bonkers.”
Getty added, “The cats are holding in very shallow water down to about 15 feet all over the lake, including Boat Dock Cove, Woody’s Cove, Santiago Flats, and the west shoreline. It’s been a really nice mix of both stockers and holdovers, along with a few of the bigger blue cats. Interestingly, schools of hybrid striped bass are also moving through from time to time, and are attacking the baits intended for catfish.”
Top baits for catfish were mackerel and shrimp, with the best presentation being flylining with no sinker at all. A smaller 1 by 3-inch piece of mackerel on a size 1 or 2 hook was the ticket for a limit of channel cats, with large chunks or even a whole mackerel fillet on a 4/0 or larger hook the way to sort through the small ones for a big blue.
Bass fishing is very good for 2 to 7-pound largemouth, although getting anything but sketchy details out of serious bassers was difficult. Evening and night-time hours saw topwaters like Rapala Skitter Pops, frogs, and 10-inch Power Worms working well, while daytime anglers did well with jigs and Carolina-rigged plastics. Low-light periods saw the use of reaction baits like Rapala XR10 and XR12 X-Raps in shad colors.
Productive locations for bass included Rocky Point and the Red Clay Cliffs. Incidental catches of 6 to 14-pound hybrid striped bass were reported in decent numbers by catfish anglers. Anglers are reminded that all bass species are strictly “catch and release” at Irvine Lake.
Crappie anglers are finding their quarry to be just getting started with its summer run, but bluegill anglers are finding large numbers of ‘gills of exceptionally large size biting on mealworms and Gulp! Crickets in brushy shallows. Surprising numbers of 2-pound class rainbow trout are still being caught along the west shoreline by anglers skilled in deep-water trolling techniques using 4 to 6 colors of leadcore line and cop-car or bikini color Luhr Jensen Needlefish.
Families with children age 12 and under were doing well on stocker-size channel catfish in the Kids Lagoon, mostly using the marshmallow/mealworm combo during evening hours. Surface temperature on the main lake is in the high 70’s, with underwater visibility rated very clear. The lake level is dropping about 6 inches per week.
Summertime hours are Thursday evenings until 11 PM, Friday and Saturday nights until Midnight, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday until 4 PM, and closed on Tuesdays.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Steve Sotelo of Whittier, 17-2 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at Boat Dock Cove
Robert Martinez of Long Beach, 8-5 channel catfish on mackerel at Rocky Point
Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 14-0 wiper [released] on mackerel at the flats
Catfish season “officially” opened on Friday night at Irvine Lake; although it was plain the whiskerfish jumped the gun and started biting well over a month ago. The opener brought the opportunity to fish in the productive evening hours, and bite they did, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. “Both Friday night and Saturday night had very good catfish bites at Santiago Flats, Boat Dock Cove, and the west shoreline. Flylined mackerel or shrimp was the best bait, with scents like Bite-On Cajun helping a lot. Along with the catfish, just about every other species in the lake is also biting well, even the trout!”
Local guide Hubert Zimara of KFGS service added, “On both Friday and Saturday, the stocker-size catfish were biting well all day long, with a lot of limits coming in on cut mackerel, but the chances for a big one are better at night.”
Bass anglers continued to find excellent action on 2 to 5-pound largemouth, with added opportunities given during the evening sessions. Daylight bassing was at the 15 to 25 foot level with jigs and dropshot baits, but evening hours saw the fish go off on a variety of topwater and reaction bait presentations. Hybrid striped bass also perked up, with numerous 8 to 11-pound wipers reported to be inhaling chunks of mackerel intended for catfish.
Crappie anglers reported that the bite on slabsides was taking off on Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning. The bluegill were also wide-open, with a massive limit stringer of 15 big ‘gills that all topped the one pound mark turned in by Marlon Meade, Mitz Onizuka, and Kyle Ishi, using Gulp! Crickets at the flats. Trout anglers skilled at deep water techniques can still find some nice-looking 2 to 3-pound holdover rainbows.
Families with children age 12 and under found decent action on stocker-size channel catfish on the marshmallow/mealworm combo in the Kids Lagoon. Surface temperature in the main lake is in the high 70’s, with underwater visibility rated very clear. Summer hours will see the lake remain open until 11 PM on Thursdays, until Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, until 4 PM on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays, and closed on Tuesdays.
Outstanding catchers of the week at Irvine Lake included:
John Moreno of Chino, 12-12 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Steve Christopher of Pomona, 11-0 and 7-12 channel catfish on mackerel at Boat Dock Cove
Mark Christoph of Coachella, 9-10 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Reginald Walker of Carson, 8-10 channel catfish on beef liver at Boat dock cove
Sam Vemati of Altadena, 12-1 blue catfish [released], on mackerel at the flats
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds sport anglers to be vigilant about properly identifying their salmon before keeping them. The ocean salmon fishing season in California is well under way and proper identification is critical for the survival of a protected species of salmon.
Chinook (or king) salmon is the primary species targeted in California’s ocean waters (although a few pink salmon are caught occasionally). However, the retention of coho (or silver) salmon is prohibited in all California ocean fisheries, specifically to protect central coast and southern Oregon-northern California coast coho stocks. Both stocks are severely declining and listed under both the state and federal Endangered Species Acts.
Coho salmon have existed in California coastal waters for thousands of years. Today, however, their populations have declined to just a fraction of their historical levels, endangered by a wide range of factors. Coho salmon populations along the coast from the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz County north to the Smith River in Del Norte County have reached a critical state of decline. Spawner escapement numbers are below those required for sustainable populations and constitute a crisis for coho salmon survival on the California coast.
In most years, sport anglers begin catching coho salmon in the ocean fishery around mid-May. Coho catches generally peak during June and then gradually decline throughout the remainder of summer. Although some of these fish may have originated from hatcheries in Oregon and Washington, many are native California coho and any retention in California ocean fisheries has been prohibited since 1995. California ocean fisheries are managed to provide for the maximum access to abundant Chinook stocks while still protecting depressed California coho populations.
Sport fishing enthusiasts can significantly help California coho stocks by taking the time to correctly identify each salmon caught before removing it from the water (netting or dropping a coho salmon onto the deck of a boat can cause both scale loss and trauma that will likely reduce its chance of survival when released). Coho salmon should be identified through examination of mouth and gums. The base of the bottom teeth on a Chinook salmon are all black whereas coho salmon have a narrow light gray band. A photo guide is viewable online at http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36125&inline=true. Although not as often caught in ocean waters, steelhead cannot be targeted or taken during the ocean salmon season. Steelhead show no black color on lower jaw and tongue.
To help avoid coming in contact with coho salmon, anglers should rig their lines to fish deeper as coho are more often found in the top 30 feet of water. Anglers should plan to fish nearer to shore for Chinook salmon as coho salmon are typically found farther offshore. Using larger lures that select for the larger Chinook salmon will also reduce coho salmon catch. The daily bag limit remains two salmon of any species except coho salmon. For complete ocean salmon regulations, please visit the Ocean Salmon webpage at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp or call the Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429.
Sport anglers are also reminded that coho salmon may also be found in coastal rivers and streams. Retention of coho salmon in any California inland salmon fishery has been prohibited since 1998. Protecting coho salmon in the ocean, as well as in streams and rivers, is an essential step in recovering this important salmon species.
The all-around action at Irvine Lake couldn’t have gotten much better than it has been for the past week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. “We’ve had very good fishing for trout, bass, catfish, carp, and crappie”, observed Getty. “Trout are being caught all over Santiago Flats at 20 to 25 feet. Many people are getting limits in just a couple of hours. The bass fishing is still exceptional too.
“We’ve been seeing some trout anglers breaking out the ‘old school’ methods, including the Pinched ‘Crawler on a jighead and suspended at 20 feet, and also the cast-a-bubble rigged to sink extra-slow.”
Getty added, “Our big catfish season opener will be on Friday June 8. After the opener, summer hours will go into effect; Fridays and Saturdays until midnight, Thursday nights until 11 PM, on Mondays and Wednesdays until 4 PM, and CLOSED on Tuesdays. During catfish night-time tournaments, we will stay open until 2 AM, with the first date for that being the ‘King of the Cats’ event on June 9.”
Local guide Hubert Zimara of KFGS Service related: “We caught a bunch of nice trout just trolling for a couple of hours in the middle of the day, using 2 to 4 colors of leadcore line. Most of the fish were at Santiago Flats and mid-lake, and ranging from 1 to 3 pounds. Best lures were red/chartreuse or brook trout-color Rapala Countdown CD03’s, and silver Tasmanian Devils.”
Other trollers found good response from the trout while using red/chartreuse Rapala Ultralight Shad ULS04’s, and Jointed Rapala J05’s and J07’s in brown trout or brook trout colors. Leadcore line trollers favored the cop-car color Luhr Jensen Needlefish.
Bass fishing continues to be phenomenally good, with largemouth in the 2 to 4-pound range responding to almost any legitimate bass-fishing technique. Fish were reported on plastics, jigs, reaction baits, Senkos, topwaters like Rapala Skitter-Walks, and jerkbaits like Rapala X-Rap XR10’s and XR12’s in shad-imitating colors in just about any rocky or brushy area.
Catfish chasers found the kitties all over in the trees at the back of Santiago Flats, in depths from 5 to 30 feet. Best baits were mackerel and shrimp for whiskerfish in the 2 to 6-pound class. Time of day did not seem to matter.
Plenty of crappie are being seen both in the flats and Boat Dock Cove. The slabs are holding at 15 to 17 feet, and white Atomic Tubes with a mealworm trailer are the top tempter. Plenty of bluegill are available in the brushy shallows, but few anglers pursued them this week.
Families with children age 12 and under did well on catfish and very large carp to 8 pounds in the Kids Lagoon, using specialty European carp techniques. The Crappie Classic tournament will take place on Saturday May 19. The one-day only “No Trout Limit” event will be June 2. Surface temperature on the main lake is 68-72 degrees, with underwater visibility rated very clear. The lake level is holding steady.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Dwight Hwang of Irvine, 4-6 rainbow trout on PowerBait at the west shore
James Getty of Silverado, 6-1 largemouth bass [released] on a Triple Trout at the west shore
Mitz Onizuka of Irvine, 4-8 channel catfish on shrimp at the flats
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It was a beautiful crisp morning and already a long line of anxious anglers snaked around the lake just after sunrise. Captain Larry Moore and Lee McNeese had already signed in over 300 children by 8am Saturday morning at Miles Square Park in Fountain Valley but they were unable to put a dent in the line. "Looks like another great day," said Tom Starns, Communications Manager for Orange County Parks.
On Thursday, the Department of Fish and Game had planted 1,600 pounds of rainbow trout so hopes were high for a great day. Janet Nguyen, Supervisor of the First District of the County of Orange counted down and then gave the command, "lines in," at exactly 9 a.m. The crowd of over 1000, including 635 registered young anglers cast their bait out and hoped for a bite.
Ned Wallace from Wallace Air Cargo Group provided some of the volunteers for the event working with Philip Friedman Outdoors and also provided a dozen beautiful rod and reel combos as grand prizes. "I hope I win one of those," said a little girl passing by the prize tables in the morning.
At 9:50 a.m., Adam Samala, age 11, made his way towards weigh-master Steve Bermudes with a beautiful 2-lb 13 ounce rainbow trout. It turned out to be the largest trout of the day and garnered Samala bragging rights for a year, his name on a trophy to be displayed at Miles Square Park and a beautiful new rod and reel.
Steve Fukuto oversaw the entire event and was pleased to see more trout coming to the scales than in recent years. "It's just great to see so many families out at the park," said Fukuto who has been organizing this event for the past 12-years. "Lots of trout and even more smiles," he said.
While the kids were catching fish and having fun, the South Bay Lady Anglers were busy making a scrumptious lunch of over 800 hot dogs, chips, and drinks for the participants thanks to a lot of good people and business's wgho had come together for this massive fishing event.
Fishing clinics were also conducted by the Department of Fish and Game. Volunteers taught kids how to cast, how to use a rod and reel and how to be safe so no one got hurt.
Several other trout were taken as the crowd on hand enjoyed a great time at the Lake. As participants dined on their lunch, the event finished with a raffle that lasted over an hour with great prizes for many in attendance.
Below, we have a list of noteable catches as well as a list of all those who made this day a reality.
Biggest Overall Fish:
Adam Samala, Age: 11, Weight: 2lb 13oz, Time:9:50am
Age 7 and Under
1st - Anthony Rhodes, Age: 7, Weight: 1lb 12oz, Time:9:46am
At Saturday’s Fishing Derby at Mile Square Regional Park, kids ages 15 and under fish for free and compete to win multiple prizes for finalists and winners in different age groups. Thanks to Ned Wallace and Wallace Air Cargo Group, kids will have a chance to win one of 11 brand new rod and reel combo's. Registration is from 7 to 8:30 a.m. with the Derby starting promptly at 9 a.m.
The lake will be stocked with 1,600 pounds of trout for the derby.
Fishing clinics will be hosted on-site and a limited quantity of fishing rods will be available for loan. A complimentary barbecue lunch will be served to all who attend. The event will be hosted by Philip Friedman Outdoors Radio, Phil Friedman. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Kids’ Fishing Derby Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Derby Registration: 7 – 8:30 a.m. Location: Mile Square Regional Park Address: 16801 Euclid St. in Fountain Valley Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle For information, call: (714) 973-6600 or (714) 973-3197
Henry Winkler, actor, producer and best-selling author of 17 children's books is best known for his role as the Fonz on Happy Days.
What you probably don't know is that he is an avid fly-fisherman who favorite spots to fish are Montana and Idaho.
In I've Never Met an Idiot on the River, a delightful collection of humorous anecdotes and heartfelt observations.
Henry shares the joy and wisdom he's accumulated while honing his skills as a fly-fisherman.
An accomplished sportsman who meticulously records the measurements of every fish he hooks, Henry learned that his yearly trips to the river are not just about catching trout. More importantly they are about adopting the proper perspective on life. Or as he puts it "the river acts like a washing machine for my brain," recharging him and reminding him that anything is possible.
This book is about life, family, relaxation and love. Henry shares his love of angling with his wife, Stacey, and their three children, Jed, Zoe and Max. On the river, Henry developed the confidence to publish his outdoor photography in this, his first non-fiction book.
I've Never Met an Idiot on the River is an invitation to share in the realizations and achievements Henry has found while fishing. Hopefully it will help you catch a few of your own.
This book is the perfect gift for the man in your life - husband, brother, grandfather, son -whether they are a sportsman or not.
Winkler will be on Fish Talk Radio with Philip Friedman Outdoors this Thursday evening from 10-11pm. The show will air live from Angel Stadium on AM 830 Radio.
