Irvine Lake catfish to 17-2 stage late-night bite
The best bite on catfish at Irvine Lake this week was made to order for night owls, according to Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The catfish bite really came on after 11:00 PM", observed Getty. "Before that is was just fair for mostly eating-size 2 to 6 pounders."

Good numbers of catfish were fooled by mackerel, shrimp, and cut skipjack. The key to fishing with any bait is to use no sinker at all, and leave your spinning reel bail open. Allow the suspicious whiskerfish to run for several seconds before setting the hook. Productive spots included the west shore, near the docks and Santiago Flats.

The crappie bite improved dramatically, with easy limits again coming in for anglers setting out a floating lantern and waiting for the food chain to develop below the boat. Slabs up to a pound are hitting white Atomic Tubes or 2-inch Gulp! Minnows.

Bass anglers are finding good numbers of their quarry, with substantial numbers of 2 to 6-pound largemouth being caught and released. Crankbaits and deeper presentations in the 20-foot range were the ticket near Rocky Point and the west shore.

Bluegill and redear sunfish are still available for those soaking meal worms or waxworms, but have moved into slightly deeper water and their numbers have decreased slightly.

The Kids Lagoon remains slow for families with children age 12 and under. The main lakes' water level is holding steady, and the surface temperature is 74 degrees.

Irvine Lake's annual trout season opening day will be Friday, November 6, with 20,000 pounds of trout planted just prior to the opener. Current lake hours are 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, until 11:00 PM on Thursdays, until 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and closed on Tuesdays.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Terry "Pontoon" Lairson of Huntington Beach, 17-2 catfish on mackerel at the flats
- Tuan Tranh of Huntington Beach, 7-2 catfish on mackerel at the dam