Public Fresh-water Fishing Spots In Orange County

Stock: Once per week from October to first week of July; trout only.

Note: Complete tackle shop and snack bar on premises.

IRVINE LAKE

4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange

Phone: (714) 649-2991

Fees: Adults $9; children $7.

Schedule: Seven days per week, 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; night fishing from 5-11 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Fishing license required: No.

Rentals: Rowboats-$18 per day.

Motorboats-$30 per day.

Rods-$4 plus $10 deposit.

Stock: Twice per week; trout, catfish, bass, crappy, bluegill, sturgeon.

Note: State record channel catfish (48 pounds, 8 ounces) and blue catfish (59 pounds, 4 ounces) both caught here in 1984 and 1987, respectively.

LAGUNA NIGUEL REGIONAL PARK

28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel

Phone: (714) 831-2790

Fee: $1.50 per vehicle

Schedule: Seven days per week, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fishing license required: Yes, if 16 or older.

Rentals: No boats; shore fishing only.

Stock: Once per week trout (only during April), catfish, bass and bluegill.

Note: Fishermen must furnish own bait and tackle.

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES

4060 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim

Phone: (714) 632-7830

Fee: Adults $9; children 3-12 years $7; less than 3 years, free. Seniors: Monday-Friday $7.

Schedule: Seven days per week, 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; night fishing from 5-11 p.m.

Fishing license required: no.

Rentals: Motorboats-$30 per day; $18 per half-day.

Rowboats-$18 per day.

Rods-$4 per day.

Stock: Twice per week with catfish; trout, sturgeon, bass, crappy.

Notes: Tackle shop on premises for bait and tackle; $5 launch fee for private boats.

YORBA REGIONAL PARK LAKE

7600 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim

Phone: (714) 970-1460

Fee: $1.50

Schedule: Seven days per week; summer hours (April 1-Oct. 31) 7 a.m.-9 p.m., winter hours (Nov. 1-March 31) 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fishing license required: Yes, if 16 or older.

Rentals: None; shore fishing only.

Stock: Every three months with bass and catfish.

STREAMS

(Stocked by the California Department of Fish & Game)

SAN JUAN CREEK

Directions: Take Interstate 5 south to Highway 74 (Ortega Highway) in San Juan Capistrano; drive northeast on 74, creek winds next to the highway out of Cleveland National Forest to the Pacific Ocean.

Stock: Trout, from the Cleveland National Forest boundary upstream to Lower San Juan Campground.

Fishing license required: Yes, if 16 or older.

Notes: Department of Fish & Game has not stocked during the last year because of low water flow. Fishing allowed anywhere along the creek that is not private property.

TRABUCO CREEK

Directions: Take Interstate 5 south to El Toro Road; go north seven miles. Bear right on Live Oak Canyon Road, then left on Trabuco Canyon Road to the creek.

Stock: Trout; two and one-half miles north of O'Neil Park.

Fishing license required: Yes, if 16 or older.

Note: Fishing allowed anywhere along the creek that is not private property.

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR SPORT FISHING LICENSE Apply at:

Any Department of Fish & Game regional office.

Most sporting goods stores.

Most sporting goods departments in other types of stores.

Some bait and tackle shops.

By mail to the Department of Fish & Game, License & Revenue Branch, 3211 S Street, Sacramento, Calif. 95816.

The fee is $2.00; free if you are blind, American Indian, ward of thestate, developmentally or physically disabled.

HOW TO CERTIFY YOUR RECORD CATCH If you think you have a record catch on your line:

Be sure you are the only person to handle your line, tackle or the fish during the time after you've hooked it; disqualification may occur if others are involved.

Weigh the fish and get names and addresses of two disinterested witnesses. To be on the safe side, get a color photo of fish.

Have fish's species documented by a Department of Fish & Game biologist or other qualified fishery personnel.

Obtain the proper forms from any DFG office and follow directions for filing.

Source: Individual lakes; California Department of Fish & Game