Norwalk Angler Pulls 14-10 Trout From Irvine Lake

It’s no secret that Irvine Lake contains big rainbow trout. Super trout, as the fish are called by lake personnel, are stocked on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon to catch a four- or five-pounder.

What is uncommon, in any reservoir, is to catch a 14-pound 10-ounce rainbow, which is what Norwalk resident Robert Sparks did Tuesday, breaking the previous lake record of 14 pounds nine ounces.

“I thought I was snagged at first,” Sparks, 29, said. “But then I started reeling slowly and it took two dives, then I knew it was a big fish.”

About 20 minutes later Sparks, who was trolling with an ultralight rod and reel spooled with four-pound test line, had the fish in the boat. His previous big fish, in 10 years of fishing at the lake, was a 4 1/2-pound trout.

WILLOW BEACH--Several limits of trout, biting at hatchery and up river. Razorback suckers, a protected species, showing at mile-marker 55, should be released. Striped bass, averaging 15 pounds, biting down river. Artificials working best.

LAKE MEAD--Striped bass averaging three to six pounds biting mainly in north end of Overton Arm. Some smaller fish biting at Vegas Wash area. Frozen anchovies best bet--chumming a must. Largemouth bass biting best in Overton Arm.

BULLHEAD CITY--Trout from one to three pounds biting on river. Berkley Power Bait working best. Striped bass picking up, averaging two to four pounds, biting on anchovies. Lake: Largemouth bass biting at 20 feet off points and in coves. Other species slow.

SALTON SEA--Orangemouth corvina most active at Red Hill, averaging 10 to 12 pounds. Tilapia minnows best bet. Croaker biting best at Bombay Beach.

LAKE CACHUMA--Largemouth and smallmouth bass biting primarily at dropoffs, with spinners and live crawfish working best. Geoff Rizzo, Torrance, seven-pound largemouth. Mark Bonette, five smallmouth. Catfish biting in narrows at five feet on nightcrawlers or mackerel. John Weiser, Los Angeles, 10 1/2-pound catfish. Cliff Grisby, Los Angeles, 12-pound catfish, caught at east end. Trout biting on most baits at 15-20 feet. Trollers doing well using five colors and needlefish lures. Pauline Wayment, Perris, 2 1/2-pound trout. Ron Klinedinst and mother, eight trout caught near dam, largest 2 3/4-pounds.

LAKE CASITAS--Largemouth bass providing most action, biting best in shallows at Sunken Island and along east shoreline. Bob Marlin, San Pedro, 13 1/2-pound bass. Ed Winget, Ventura, 12-2 bass. Charley Doe, 91, Walnut Creek, 9-1 bass, released. Several limits of trout, biting mainly at Wadleigh Arm. Crappie biting in shallows along shoreline. Mini-jigs and meal worms best bet. Catfish moving into shallows.

PYRAMID LAKE--Striped bass picking up, averaging six pounds, biting mainly near marina and in channel. Anchovies best bet. Albert McCoy, Long Beach, three stripers, largest eight pounds. Desiree Arterburn, 8, Lebec, 5 1/2-pound striper. Largemouth bass biting best at Brazos Cove. Jeff Yoder, Chatsworth, seven-pound largemouth, six others released. Several limits of trout, biting on most baits. Note: beginning April 3 hours will be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

LAKE PIRU--Several limits of trout, biting at dam and marina. Most baits working. Bob Valko, Pico Rivera, 3 1/2 and 4 1/2-pound bass. Mike Bowlds, Simi Valley, four-pound bass. George Granados, Los Angeles, five bass.

IRVINE LAKE--Rainbow trout still the main attraction, with bigger fish becoming more active. Power Bait and most artificials working.

LAKE SKINNER--Largemouth bass biting at five to 15 feet in coves and across from marina. Andy Diaz, Fullerton, 5-8 bass, caught on Rapala. Trout biting best at Ramp 2, but bigger fish being caught at dam. Steven Szabo, Lakewood, 3-2 trout. Lee Ann Martony, Escondido, 2 3/4-pound trout. Crappie biting across from marina. Ray Eddins, Los Angeles, six crappie, 10 pounds.

BIG BEAR--Ice gone, fishing good for trout to three pounds. Most baits working.

LAKE SILVERWOOD--Striped bass biting mosty in channel and spillway. Greg Silks and Gary Sanders, Alta Loma, nine stripers, 218 pounds. Largemouth bass biting in channel. Jay Moreno, Highland, 11-pound largemouth, caught on nightcrawler. Crappie best in marina. Note: Beginning Saturday, hours will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Trout Plants

A list of waters scheduled to be planted by the Department of Fish and Game, weather and road conditions permitting, by counties:

LOS ANGELES--Castaic Lake, Castaic Lagoon, Crystal Lake, Pyramid Lake, San Gabriel River (East, West and North forks), Santa Fe Reservoir.

RIVERSIDE--Evans Lake, Perris Lake, Skinner Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO--Lytle Creek (Middle and North forks).

SAN DIEGO--Doane Pond, San Luis Rey River.

SANTA BARBARA--Davy Brown Creek, Manzana Creek.

VENTURA--Matilija Creek, Piru Lake, Santa Paula Creek, Ventura River (North fork).

IMPERIAL--Sunbeam Lake, Weist Lake.