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SARL UPDATE: Santa Ana River Lakes trout action still good despite off-color water
Western Outdoor NewsPublished: Feb 04, 2010
SOUTH CAL FRESH REPORT
ANAHEIM— Runoff from recent rains has dimmed the water clarity at Santa Ana River Lakes, but anglers are still seeing good stringers of rainbow trout come from the lakes complex, and a few sturgeon are also showing.
A big plant of the Mt. Lassen Sierra ‘bows, including some trophy-sized fish, arrive this week to supplement the Nebraska Tailwalkers planted last week and the double plant of ruby red steelhead the week before. The highly-regarded lightning trout are also going to be stocked in February.
There continues to be light fishing pressure which means the heavy plants are just stockpiling in the lakes, and diligent anglers fishing floating dough baits on short leaders, keeping the bait within 6 to 8 inches of the bottom, are getting some nice stringers of fish.
Norris Neale of Lakewood had the week’s top rainbow, a 6.12 pounder caught on a trout worm off the Toad Road.
The two sturgeon reported at the tackle shop were both right at 4 pounds, and both were landed on floating dough baits. Mike Gonzales of Pomona landed one, and the other was caught by Christian Villanueva of Santa Ana. Both were caught off the Sandy Beach.
In the slightly off-color water, the hot trout bait has been Eagle Claw Dough in a bright color fished closed to the bottom on a short leader — no more than six inches. Scents have been especially important in the off-color water and anglers should add scent every 10 minutes so the trout can find the bait easier. Inflated nightcrawlers dipped in Eagle Claw Gravy have also been a good bet.
A big trout tournament is ongoing at both Santa Ana River Lakes and its sister water, Corona Lake. From now through 4 p.m. February 28, the angler who catches the biggest trout between the two waters will win a three-day, four-night, all-expenses stay for two at Alaska’s Woxof Lodge to fish for huge halibut and king salmon. And if the angler catches the biggest rainbow while using any Eagle Claw bait or attractant, Eagle Claw will kick in $1,000 towards airfare. The trip is worth $6,000, and the airfare kicks up the total value to $7,000. While the current leader is still a 19-pound, 10-ounce rainbow, trout are going to be stocked between now and the end of the event that will push 30 pounds, potentially breaking the lake and state records when they are landed. Complete details are on the lakes Web site at www.fishinglakes.com.
Anglers are reminded to continue to report all their catches at the tackle shop and have photos taken. Even if you don’t have the big winner in the derby, by checking in your catch you continue to be eligible for a weekly drawing for a package worth $300; including lake passes, pontoon boat rentals and fishing gear.
The lakes Web site has catch photos posted weekly, if not daily, so anglers can keep tabs on the fishing. In addition, video clips of each week’s trout plants are also posted. This means they can see the volume and size of the fish in each stock.
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 passes is $22. Seniors only pay $20, with a special $17 pass sold on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a 5-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a 3-fish pass is just $9. The 24-hour passes are sold once a month on Friday and Saturday nights nearest the full moon, but weather forced the delay of the full moon event this month to last weekend, Feb 5 and 6.These passes remain just $60. Anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass, 15-fish limit.
For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
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SOUTH CAL FRESH REPORT ANAHEIM— Runoff from recent rains has dimmed the water clarity at Santa Ana River Lakes, but anglers are still seeing good stringers of rainbow trout come from the lakes complex, and a few sturgeon are also showing.A big plant of the Mt. Lassen Sierra ‘bows, including some trophy-sized fish, arrive this week to supplement the Nebraska Tailwalkers planted last week and the double plant of ruby red steelhead the week before. The highly-regarded lightning trout are also going to be stocked in February. There continues to be light fishing pressure which means the heavy plants are just stockpiling in the lakes, and diligent anglers fishing floating dough baits on short leaders, keeping the bait within 6 to 8 inches of the bottom, are getting some nice stringers of fish. Norris Neale of Lakewood had the week’s top rainbow, a 6.12 pounder caught on a trout worm off the Toad Road. The two sturgeon reported at the tackle shop were both right at 4 pounds, and both were landed on floating dough baits. Mike Gonzales of Pomona landed one, and the other was caught by Christian Villanueva of Santa Ana. Both were caught off the Sandy Beach. In the slightly off-color water, the hot trout bait has been Eagle Claw Dough in a bright color fished closed to the bottom on a short leader — no more than six inches. Scents have been especially important in the off-color water and anglers should add scent every 10 minutes so the trout can find the bait easier. Inflated nightcrawlers dipped in Eagle Claw Gravy have also been a good bet. A big trout tournament is ongoing at both Santa Ana River Lakes and its sister water, Corona Lake. From now through 4 p.m. February 28, the angler who catches the biggest trout between the two waters will win a three-day, four-night, all-expenses stay for two at Alaska’s Woxof Lodge to fish for huge halibut and king salmon. And if the angler catches the biggest rainbow while using any Eagle Claw bait or attractant, Eagle Claw will kick in $1,000 towards airfare. The trip is worth $6,000, and the airfare kicks up the total value to $7,000. While the current leader is still a 19-pound, 10-ounce rainbow, trout are going to be stocked between now and the end of the event that will push 30 pounds, potentially breaking the lake and state records when they are landed. Complete details are on the lakes Web site at www.fishinglakes.com. Anglers are reminded to continue to report all their catches at the tackle shop and have photos taken. Even if you don’t have the big winner in the derby, by checking in your catch you continue to be eligible for a weekly drawing for a package worth $300; including lake passes, pontoon boat rentals and fishing gear. The lakes Web site has catch photos posted weekly, if not daily, so anglers can keep tabs on the fishing. In addition, video clips of each week’s trout plants are also posted. This means they can see the volume and size of the fish in each stock. 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 passes is $22. Seniors only pay $20, with a special $17 pass sold on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a 5-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a 3-fish pass is just $9. The 24-hour passes are sold once a month on Friday and Saturday nights nearest the full moon, but weather forced the delay of the full moon event this month to last weekend, Feb 5 and 6.These passes remain just $60. Anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass, 15-fish limit. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com. |
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