The Fish Are Really Bitin.

Top offering for trouters continues to be the Gulp!

Trout Dough, either alone or with a half-nightcrawler. A Power Mouse constructed with a Gulp! Salmon Egg is also productive.

The rising water story at Irvine Lake was eclipsed by the best trout action of the year for both quantity and quality. The phenomenal action included the two largest trout of the year to date. Dozens of trout in the 5- to 8-lb. class were checked in, with a few specimens from 8 to more than 15 lbs.

Access to the west shore road for shore fishing is now blocked by flooding just beyond the rental boat dock, but the influx of water has spread the fish all around the lake. The Kids Lagoon is still closed.

The rising water finally covered the pipe at Sierra Cove, allowing lake management to move the restriction buoys to within 50 ft. of the water that has been rushing in for more than a month. With the fish stacked up like cordwood, the action has been fast and furious.

Catfish action is very good for smaller-grade whiskerfish in the 2- to 3-lb. range. Crappie are biting well near the fenceline back in the flats for anglers offering white mini-jigs with a mealworm trailer. Largemouth bass from 2 to 4 lbs. are biting for anglers who are keeping relatively quiet regarding specifics.

Trollers are finding that more natural-colored CD3 and CD5 Rapalas are best, with brown trout and brook trout colors earning the nod. Sierra Cove, Trout Island and the west shore are the best for trout fishing.

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