Lake Burton Fishing Report August 2015

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: 84 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The bass bite has really picked up. The spotted bass are over a little deeper water than normal but have been following the herring schools up and down the lake. Most of these bass are in schools of 20 to 30 fish. Topwater plugs and jerkbaits have been working early in the mornings. Try throwing something in a bream color or yellow perch pattern. The reason for throwing this is having something different than herring seems to be working better. The drop-shot bite has just started. We are targeting these fish on main-lake points in 25 to 35 feet of water. Brown Robo worms with a 1/8-oz. weight have been working best. Expect to catch a lot of yellow perch while drop-shotting for bass. The lake is full of yellow perch this year. The bass should hold on this pattern for the next several weeks.”

Brown Trout: “The brown trout bite is consistent,” Wes said. “These fish have set up on their summer patterns. Early morning these fish are up feeding in the 18- to 25-foot range. Trolling herring colored crankbaits have been working best. Vary the sizes on these baits. There are a few rainbows mixed in with the brown trout. Try maintaining a speed of 2.8 to 3 mph. Most of the trout will stay deep during the middle of the day. If you choose to fish midday and brave the boat and jet-ski traffic, try dropping nightcrawlers with a split-shot over a 40- to 60-foot bottom. Be prepared to catch a monster trout doing this. Sometimes it takes a while for the trout to find the bait.”

Walleye: “The walleye bite has been decent,” Wes said. “The walleye have been feeding primarily at night. The early morning bite has been producing some nice fish. We have been downlining bluebacks over a 30- to 40-foot bottom. This pattern should continue for the next several weeks.”