Notes about your surroundings

Go fish--It’s summertime, and if you want some easy living, get out the rod and reel and head out to one of Orange County’s fishing holes.

Of these hot spots for trout and bass, one is alongside a freeway and the other is hidden in the foothills east of Orange.

Santa Ana River Lakes is really three holding basins for the Santa Ana River. Its location, in an industrial area next to the Riverside Freeway, isn’t much for someone hoping to get away from thoughts of daily commuting, but what the area lacks in scenery, the lakes make up for in good fishing. What else would account for crowds along the shoreline on warm summer nights?

Irvine Lake is more of the typical fishing getaway. A winding drive down a two-lane road leads to a plywood sign pointing to the lake. At Irvine Lake, most folks fish from boats.

Boat rentals are available at either site for fees of $20 to $40 a day. Boat launch fees run about $7.

Since these are privately stocked lakes, fishing licenses are not required.

Getting there

Santa Ana River Lakes: On La Palma Avenue east of Tustin Street in Anaheim. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Monday and Tuesday, 3:30 to 11 p.m.

Irvine Lake: At 4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Monday through Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prices for both: $12 for adults and $10 for seniors (Monday through Friday only) and children 4 to 12. Children under 3 get in free. For more information on either lake, call (714) 632-7851.