Lake Burton Fishing Report – July 2008

Burton: Level: Up 0.1 feet above full pool. Temp: 80 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: In June the fishing was excellent, according to Burton fishing guide Wes Carlton. “We caught several largemouths in the 6- to 9-lb. range on flukes and bass minnows. By the first of July the bass fishing should be great with postspawn fish ready to eat. Plastic worms worked 12 to 18 feet deep over and in brush will catch fish, and so will Spot Stickers.” The topwater bite on Sammys, Spooks, Gunfish should also pick up as the fish bunch up on main-lake points.

Hybrids: The hybrids have been biting topwater consistently throughout June, said Wes. He expects them to move a little deeper in July. This month he recommends deep-diving crankbaits (20+ divers) over the main channel.

Brown Trout: The trout have been showing up in good numbers on the south end of the lake, said Wes. “We have boated a few in the 4-lb. range and several in the 2- to 3-lb. range on live bait and Crocodile spoons, as well as a few 20-inch rainbows. These fish all look great and healthy. Maybe a new lake record will be caught this year,” Wes said. (Editor’s Note: A 4 1/2-lb. rainbow was caught at Lake Burton recently, which would be a new lake record. At presstime, the weight had not been certified.) According to WRD Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern, surface water temperatures are way above average for this time of year at Burton, which means that conditions are setting up for the annual summer squeeze on the Burton trout population. “Our recent lake-profile data indicate that anglers can expect to find trout at depths from 25 to 35 feet deep on the lower half of the lake. The trout are feeding on herring in the 4-inch size range. As always the area around the dam is the best place to try first.”