Lake Burton Fishing Report December 2015

Water Level: 4 feet low and dropping for winter drawdown. Water Temp: 58 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The bass have finally settled into a normal fall pattern with most of the fish up shallow and feeding great. We have caught some really good spotted bass and largemouth on topwater the last few trips. Try using a small topwater bait  like a Sammy, Strike King, etc. Herring colors always work best. Crankbaits will start working over the next few weeks. I like using a 5- to 7-foot diving crankbait in a yellow perch or bream color.”

Brown Trout: “The adult brown trout are finishing up their spawn,” Wes reports. “They are congregated up in the creeks. They will soon start their pilgrimage back down the lake to the main lake channels over the next few weeks. The lake has been stocked with a lot of small trout. These fish are aggressive and easy to catch. Any type of spinner, small crankbait or small jerkbait works well! These fish are scattered all over the lake from one end to the other.”

Walleye: “The walleye have moved up on the main lake points and humps,” Wes Carlton said. “These fish are feeding shallow the first few hours of daylight, and the walleye are feeding several hours throughout the night if you are able to stay out late enough to catch them. We have been casting chrome jerkbaits over these fish with a slow steady roll of the reel. They are not very aggressive and sometimes take several casts to a specific area to catch one. The walleye we have been catching lately have been healthy (3 to 5 pounds). These Lake Burton walleye should continue to feed on this same pattern over the next few weeks. Look for rocky bottoms or heavy timber near these shallow-water points and humps. Walleye like heavy cover when they are not up feeding.”