Lake Burton Fishing Report February 2017

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: 49 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The spotted bass bite has been steady the last few weeks. Most of the big spots are deep hanging out over a 35- to 40-foot bottom. We have been catching most of the bass on under spins—try a 1/2-oz. white Super Fish tipped with a white fluke. This is a tough technique to learn but produces some really nice bass. Try casting out away from the boat in the 20-foot range and slow-roll this lure back toward the boat, keeping it at this 20-foot depth. The fish will rise off of that 30-foot bottom to eat the bait. The key is maintaining that 20-foot depth. We have been working long main-lake points and ditches in the backs of creeks. Don’t be surprised if you catch a monster spot! The spots should continue to hold over deep water over the next several weeks, occasionally coming up to the surface midday chasing herring.”

Trout: Guide Wes Cartlon reports, “The brown trout seem to be plentiful this year. The trolling bite has really taken off. We have been trolling gold Johnson Spoons between 10 and 25 feet deep. Maintain a speed of 2.5 mph to 3 mph. Keep an eye out for surfacing fish, and have a white Mepps Super Rooster ready to cast. Some of the bigger brown trout have been caught this way. Look for these Lake Burton trout to continue this pattern for the next few weeks.”

Walleye: “The Burton walleye bite is in full swing,” said guide Wes Carlton. “We have been fishing nightcrawlers on the bottom, as well downlining blueback herring. Most of the walleye seem to be holding on a 25- to 30-foot bottom and rising to the 15-foot depths to feed on points. Positioning the boat over the fish is very critical. Walleye are not very aggressive and take several seconds to catch the bait sometimes. This can be tough in the winter on the northern lakes in the wind. Just remember walleye are very bottom-oriented fish and only travel just a few feet of the bottom to feed. The trolling bite will be picking up in the next few weeks. We will be dragging an array of colorful crankbaits.”