August 6, 2002

By DAVE STREGE
The Orange County Register

Exploring the great outdoors for news, notes and anecdotes ...

Ever wanted to fish a secret spot, a fishing hole not everyone is allowed to fish? Irvine Lake plans to present that opportunity August 16-18 when it opens the "Forbidden Zone."

The FZ is the area behind the buoy line by the dam, usually off limits because of aerators on the lake bottom.

Largemouth bass hang out near the aerators and huge catfish are known to roam the bottom.

For an added bonus, anyone catching a 100-pound catfish will win $1,000.

Fish that weigh more than 25 pounds must be released and anglers can only fish the FZ from rental boats.

Could be interesting....