Lake Burton Fishing Report May 2012

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: 64 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good for numbers. Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The bass are almost finished with spawning. We have been catching a lot of numbers the last few days. Jerkbaits and worms have been working well. Most of the fish are shallow in 3 to 8 feet. I have seen a few big spotted bass postspawn that were deep in 20 feet. There is an early morning topwater bite. Try using a Spook or fluke early. Switch up an hour or so after daylight to working some heavy brush or rocky points with white jerkbaits or pumpkin-colored finesse worms with a bullet weight or shaky head. These fish should continue this pattern for the next couple of weeks.”

Trout: Good. Wes reports, “The brown trout bite has started picking up. These fish are schooling on top early in the morning and late in the evening. On cloudy days, they will often school and chase the little blueback herring. These baitfish are all up and down the main river channel. We have been throwing a small white fluke at these schooling fish. Some of these fish have been tipping the scales at 6 pounds. The last few trips we have been catching some good rainbow trout. Jerkbaits like a Spro McStick have been working the best. Look for these fish around the banks where the heavy wood cover is. Most of the trout will head toward deeper water over the next couple of weeks with rising water temps.”

Walleye: Excellent. Wes reports, “The walleye bite is hot! The spawn is over, and the fish are hungry. The best artificial bait we have found to work lately has been a Shad Rap SR5 in any color and fluorescent jigs in 3/8-oz. and tipped with a medium crappie minnow or a chartreuse grub. Most of the walleye are still shallow in 12 to 20 feet. They are holding tight to structure like rocks and trees. Fish close to main-lake points that drop off fast as well as to trees along the banks where the creek or river current flow is good.”

White Bass: Good. Wes reports, “This is the first report in a few years that I have been able to say there is still a white bass fishery. We have caught white bass from Lake Lanier, Lake Burton, Lake Rabun and Lake Yonah. These fish are between 2 and 3 pounds. Shad Raps, jigs and live bait have all worked well on these fish.”

Yellow Perch: Good. Wes reports, “Tis the season for yellow perch. These fish will begin biting good this month and continue through September. A drop-shot rig tipped with a small, light-colored fluke or small plastic worm works best. Crappie minnows work most of the time when the fish are concentrated. Most of the yellow perch are in the 12- to 18-foot range. Find the grass, and the fish will be close.”