Lake Burton Fishing Report March 2016

Burton: Level: Full. Temp: 48 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The spotted bass are deep and feeding great in the afternoons. We have been catch spots on drop-shot rigs. We have also caught fish on the Super Spin tipped with a small herring-colored swim bait. These fish are a little lethargic, so work the bait slower than normal. We have been working main-lake points in 30 to 45 feet of water. These fish will slowly start pulling up a little shallower as we head into March and the water temps rise in the afternoons. Look for red clay banks. The water warms faster in these areas. Try working a 4-inch jerkbait in these areas.”

Brown Trout: Wes reports, “Most of the brown trout have migrated over deep water the last week or so. They are cruising up and down the main lake channels and creek channels chasing the blueback herring around. We have been catching these fish with spoons. Casting to surfacing trout can be really productive. Try using a 3/4-oz. spoon in silver/blue. Work the spoon in a jerking roll action back toward the boat. We have also had good luck with a pearl-white 1/2-oz. Super Spin head tipped with a Fluke Jr. This underspin works well with so many different fish. We have caught trout, bass, walleye, chain pickerel and yellow perch on this lure.”

Walleye: Wes reports, “The walleye have been feeding great the last week or so. The weather has not been the greatest for fishing for walleye. This is typical this time of year. February and March are very windy months on most north Georgia lakes. Try finding a cove or bend in the river that is a little protected from the wind. Walleye are very specific to brush and rocks for cover. They will feed away from this structure but quickly return after feeding. We have been catching fish on a 20- to 30-foot bottom. Try dropping a 1/4-oz. bright jig head tipped with a medium crappie minnow and working it up and down about a foot or two off the bottom. Location is the key to catching walleye. They are not ghosts; I seem to hear this a lot from anglers. Walleye are not aggressive feeders, like bass and other species of fish. They are slow taking the bait most of the time. Knowing how to find the fish on your electronics is the key to success. The walleye should slowly start heading up the rivers and creeks over the next few weeks to spawn. Try locating fish on their way to or from the spawn. Spawning walleye are not big on eating. Once they have finished spawning, they are very hungry. This is a great time to catch a trophy.”