Lake Burton Fishing Report – February 2008

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: Upper 40s. Clarity: Clear.

Brown Trout: Burton brown trout are doggedly chasing the bluebacks around the shoreline of Lake Burton, said WRD Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern. “Bluebacks are concentrated around the dam and in the back of Mocassin Cove and in Murray Cove. Trolling is the key to finding the scattered pockets of fish. Pointer 100s in the herring pattern, crayfish-pattern Shad Raps, and, of course, live bait are effective this time of year. I suggest fishing around 10 feet deep, but anglers may need to play around with this depth. A few anglers have reported marking bigger trout on their depthfinder in deeper water near the face of the dam.” Fishing guide Wes Carlton said brown trout are biting well on both Burton and Rabun. “Try to fish calm days with high pressure, these seem to be the best times. We have been catching most of the fish in the mouths of the creeks — Dicks Creek, Timpson Creek. The next couple of weeks I will concentrate on trolling live bait and Crocodile spoons deep, in 35- to 55-foot range. The bigger fish like these depths; although it is not uncommon for them to rise in a matter of seconds. Be prepared to throw a small topwater plug like a Rapala or Lucky Craft. I have seen a few nice rainbows in Burton the last few outings.”

Bass: The bass fishing for spots continues to be great, said Wes. “The spots are deep 28- to 45-foot range. We have been catching them using drop-shot rigs. The next few weeks the fish will rise a few feet in the water column. The bass are all very healthy, and the weights for spring tournaments should be great,” he said.