Texas Fish Report
Irvine Lake Report
by Steve Carson
5-21-2008
Irvine Lake bite perks back up with "no limit" trout fishing, catfish opener slated for June 6
The arrival of Memorial Day weekend means that there will be "no limit" on trout for the remainder of the summer season. Trout fishing continues to be good in deeper water, portending full ice chests for those who want them. Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop reported, "When we had the record heat going last weekend, things slowed down. On Tuesday the weather returned to normal, and the trout started biting again. Once we start staying open late Friday and Saturday nights starting on June 6, there will also be some good bites on both catfish and crappie."
Trouting has become a deep water affair, and anglers skilled in deep trolling and drifting techniques are still finding some nice fish. Trolling 4 to 5 colors of leadcore line with a cop-car or frog-color Luhr Jensen Needlefish is the top producer. Deep-drifting with a Power Mouse or Power Bug combination using green or white colors is also working.
Catfish chasers have been finding very good action on 2 to 5-pound channels. The whiskerfish are hitting best on Catmando mackerel, shrimp, DuMong's and Gulp! catfish preparations in the weedy areas right in front of the Pro Shop. The June 6 catfish opener will allow anglers to opportunity to fish until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.
Some bass are still on tap for those who specialize in the species. Smaller largemouth in the 1 to 3-pound class are hitting oxblood-color plastics at Santiago Flats. A few topwater fish are also biting in the early mornings.
Crappie anglers have had only sporadic success, and are heavily anticipating the night-time hours starting on June 6. Bluegill and redear are biting for anglers offering mealworms and waxworms, but few anglers are chasing these smaller species.
Families with children age 12 and under have been experiencing moderate action in the Kids Lagoon on catfish using the marshmallow/mealworm combo. The overall water level in the main lake is currently on a downward trend.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Wade Kirchmeyer of Anaheim Hills, 6-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the red clay cliffs Mike Warren of Tustin, 5-9 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers at the west shore
Trouting has become a deep water affair, and anglers skilled in deep trolling and drifting techniques are still finding some nice fish. Trolling 4 to 5 colors of leadcore line with a cop-car or frog-color Luhr Jensen Needlefish is the top producer. Deep-drifting with a Power Mouse or Power Bug combination using green or white colors is also working.
Catfish chasers have been finding very good action on 2 to 5-pound channels. The whiskerfish are hitting best on Catmando mackerel, shrimp, DuMong's and Gulp! catfish preparations in the weedy areas right in front of the Pro Shop. The June 6 catfish opener will allow anglers to opportunity to fish until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.
Some bass are still on tap for those who specialize in the species. Smaller largemouth in the 1 to 3-pound class are hitting oxblood-color plastics at Santiago Flats. A few topwater fish are also biting in the early mornings.
Crappie anglers have had only sporadic success, and are heavily anticipating the night-time hours starting on June 6. Bluegill and redear are biting for anglers offering mealworms and waxworms, but few anglers are chasing these smaller species.
Families with children age 12 and under have been experiencing moderate action in the Kids Lagoon on catfish using the marshmallow/mealworm combo. The overall water level in the main lake is currently on a downward trend.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Wade Kirchmeyer of Anaheim Hills, 6-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the red clay cliffs Mike Warren of Tustin, 5-9 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers at the west shore
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