Lake Burton Fishing Report – December 2006

Burton: Level: 1.9 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 50s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Gary Kilby said that since the cold weather ahead of Thanksgiving and dropping water temperatures, the bass have gone deep at Burton. He recommended either spooning or using a drop-shot rig on river ledges and drops. “On a warm day, the fish might move up and run down a small crankbait,” he said. Shad Raps and Bandit 100 series crankbaits in natural colors are good choices. On the drop-shot rig, try a Zoom Finesse Worm in green pumpkin.

Trout: On October 25, WRD Fisheries stocked approximately 5,000 brown trout that averaged about a half pound apiece. Those fish measured about 10 1/2- to 11-inches long. The fish were stocked by boat and scattered around the lake. Good catches of brown trout have been reported recently. With the water temperature dropping, the trout will gradually move toward deeper water and the warmth provided by the concrete dam. Fish live minnows straight down near the dam, and watch for trout (and spots) running bluebacks to the surface. Trolling blueback imitations in a circuit between the dam and the mouth of Murray Cove is a good way to locate trout.