Lake Burton Fishing Report March 2013

Burton: Level: 0.6 feet below full pool. Temp: 47 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Capt. Wes Carlton reports, “The spotted bass and largemouth have started pulling up a little shallower the last couple of days. Most of the spots are in 18 to 22 feet of water. Early morning these fish are glued to the bottom. Try using a shaky head with a pumpkin-colored finesse worm on main-lake points. The spot bite seems to be better mid-day to afternoon. These fish are close to red-clay banks where the afternoon sun warms the water. Jerkbaits have been producing some really good fish. The largemouth have been biting best between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Most of the bigger fish are hanging close to ledges. Swimbaits in blueback herring colors have been working well.”

Walleye: “The walleye are starting their journey up the rivers and creeks for the spawn,” Wes said. “Most of these fish are still in the mouths of the creeks feeding on baitfish. Recently we caught three big females trolling crankbaits in about 29 to 30 feet of water. These fish will slowly make their way up the channels toward shallow water to spawn. Small crankbaits in chartreuse and firetiger work well.”

Brown Trout: “Most of the big browns are out over the main-lake channel,” Wes said. “These fish are feeding throughout most of the day. We have been trolling a gold 3-inch spoon 2.7 mph. The average size brown trout has been in the 2- to 3-lb. range. Look for these fish to start working toward the banks where brush is abundant. Just remember, trout feed on a wide variety of forage, so try different colors if you aren’t getting bites.”