IRVINE LAKE CATFISH AND BASS NUMBERS HOLDING UP: FISH MOVE DEEPER WITH WEATHER CHANGE

Good numbers of eating-size catfish were again the story at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The stocker-size 2 to 6-pound catfish are biting well all over", noted Getty. "The cats are at anywhere from zero to 20 feet, and are hitting on mackerel, skipjack, shrimp, Bowker's, Gulp!, the marshmallow/mealworm combo, you name it. The bass fishing is also still really good, with some of the bigger 4 to 6 pound units hitting on jigs."

Getty tipped, "The break in the weather and cooling water on Monday pushed the catfish down in the water column. The better bites are going to be at 20 feet or more right now."

Good catches of catfish were reported from the west shore, Santiago Flats, boat dock cove, and near the dam. Most limits of whiskerfish were made up of 2 to 6-pounders, but a few larger-grade fish into the double-digits kept things interesting.

Bass fishing remains excellent, with anglers reporting up to 30 largemouth in the 2 to 6-pound class released for a day's fishing. The fish are mostly in 10 to 12 feet of water at the west shore and Rocky Point, and are hitting on reaction baits and plastics. Some of the largest fish were fooled by 3/8 ounce cinnamon/shad Yamamoto Hula Grubs.

Good numbers of bluegill and redear are biting on waxworms, and anglers chasing crappie did best under a floating lantern using white Atomic Tubes. Carp are visible rolling on the surface, and should be vulnerable to the various European specialty techniques.

The Kids Lagoon yielded very good action on stocker-size catfish for families with children age 12 and under offering mackerel near the pipes. The main lake water level is receding slowly.

The final late-night catfish session of the season will be Saturday night October 31, and the lake will be open from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 1. Irvine Lake will be closed to the public on November 2, 3, 4, and 5 to stock some 20,000 pounds of trout and prepare for the annual trout season opener on Friday November 6.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Scott Nakata of Garden Grove, 12.25 pound catfish [released] on shrimp at the rockpile