Lake Burton Fishing Report February 2014

Burton: Level: 9.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 39 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The spotted bass are still fairly shallow. These fish have been setting up on a 25-foot bottom. The water has been a lot cooler the last few days, so getting these fish to eat has been tricky. We have had our best luck between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. after the sun has warmed the water a little. Try using a white jerkbait or a Duo Realis Spinbait 80. Work the baits slowly, and let the spinbait sink to the 20-foot depth—it is weighted. The spots will be moving toward deeper water over the next few weeks. I expect to see a good spoon bite in a week or so at 35 to 50 feet. Try using a silver Hopkins Smoothe spoon.”

Brown Trout: “The brown trout have been biting well in the back of the creeks,” Wes said. “Look for the water color change or break. Most of the fish we are catching have been over a 16- to 20-foot bottom. White Rooster Tails have been working best. We have caught a few bigger fish on a Duo Realis Spinbait 80 in the herring color. These fish should hold this pattern for the next several weeks if the lake doesn’t freeze.”

Walleye: “Walleye are biting in 28 feet of water,” Wes said. “We’ve had our best success trolling deep divers around main-lake points. Try a Mann’s Stretch in sexy shad trolled at 80 feet behind the boat. We have been varying the trolling speed from 2 to 3 mph. These fish are aggressive this time of year and seem to be real healthy. Look for the walleye to start migrating toward the river channels over the next few weeks for the spawn.”