A short rainstorm on Saturday sparked the catfish bite on at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "One of those fast-moving desert downpours came through on Saturday", observed Getty. "The catfish bite had been pretty mediocre on Friday night, but it went like gangbusters once the storm hit. Among numerous others, we had Bob Lawler and party score a 15-catfish stringer totaling 43-8, topped by a 7-1 channel. Luckily the storm moved on before we had to close the roads.

"The bass bite continues to be very good, with fish being caught from the early AM, all the way through the afternoon and evening until closing. Lots of 1 to 3-pounders are being caught on flukes and other shad imitations, but the bigger fish are going for 10-inch plastic worms, swimbaits, and other big bait-big fish lures. Folks fishing with local guide Don Spencer have really been getting into good numbers of bass. Top bass limit of the week was caught by Eiri and Wesley Aoshima of Los Angeles, whose best 5 fish totaled 27-2 on 10-inch Zoom worms rigged Texas style."

Getty added, "Starting Sept. 12, the lake will be closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays until the Trout Season Opener."

Most of the catfish filling the stringers have been prime eating-size specimens in the 2 to 6-pound range. However, mid-September is when the lake's big blue catfish start to become more active, and a few hookups [and breakoffs] on monster whiskerfish are starting to keep everybody on their toes.

Good catfish catches were reported in Boat Dock Cove and Santiago Flats, while using mackerel, shrimp, and bonito. Prime time was usually from 6:00 PM to closing, but stormy periods were the exception.

Bass chasers continued to have a field day during most outings, and anglers are reminded that all bass species are catch-and-release only at Irvine Lake. School-size largemouth from 1 to 3 pounds were chasing after dropshot-rigged plastics and shad imitations; but jigs, swimbaits, and big plastic worms found good quantities of 4 to 7-pound bucketmouths. Favored locations were Rocky Point, Sierra Cove, the Red Clay Cliffs, and the west shoreline.

No crappie, trout, or wipers were checked in this week. Anglers who tried for bluegill and redear found plenty of them available in brushy shallow areas, with Gulp! Crickets and meal worms the top tempters.

Families with children age 12 and under found very good action in the Kids Lagoon on 1 to 3 pound catfish, using shrimp and mackerel. The main lake level dropped about 6 inches this week, with the surface temperature at 80 degrees. Water clarity is rated very clear, with underwater visibility at 10-12 feet. For anglers planning ahead, the 2011-12 Trout Season Opener will be on Friday, November 4.