Lake Burton Fishing Report – March 2008

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

Bass: According to Wes Carlton of Georgia Lake Trout guide service, the largemouth bite is getting better and he had caught several fish in the 4- to 5-lb. range last week using small Norman’s crankbaits. The spotted bass seem to be moving out on the points. Try using creepy crawlers or worms on the deeper fish, he said.

Brown Trout: According to WRD Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern, there are only a few fishermen braving the weather to target trout during the winter. “They are marking bigger fish at the dam and a lot of smaller fish in the Moccasin Creek embayment area close to the hatchery,” he said. “Trout prefer to feed at twilight, so anglers are seeing fish on the surface around sunset. Trolling small shad imitations near the dam during the day or in the backs of coves around sunset may produce some strikes.” Trout fishing has picked up on Burton, said Wes. “We have been catching several fish in the 16- to 18-inch range. These fish are very hungry and aggressive. Try fishing late in the afternoons. The fish seem to be more responsive after the water column has warmed up a little. Most of the fish we have caught have been in less than 15 feet of water. Try pulling crickets very slowly at a depth of 6 to 8 feet, or pull a Fat Albert grub on a red jig head. Get these baits away from the boat or dock — these fish will spook very easily.”