Lake Burton Fishing Report May 2013

Burton: Level: 0.7 feet above full pool. Temp: 62 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Capt. Wes Carlton reports, “With the water-temperature fluctuations, the bass have gone from deep to shallow rapidly. Most of the big largemouth are on the beds right now if they have not finished spawning. I look for post and prespawn fish most of the time. Trying to catch a bedding largemouth is like watching paint dry. I usually let these fish do their thing this time of year and work on postspawn fish. Most of these fish will bite early morning or evening in 4 to 8 feet of water. Look for areas where the bream hang out. This is where the postspawn largemouth will feed best. Try throwing a bream-colored crankbait or working a white fluke in these areas. The spotted bass are up shallow and feeding on anything they can swallow. Jerkbaits have been producing good fish as well as Fish Head Spins tipped with a fluke. I have been working 5- to 12-foot water depths early morning and 16 feet of water after 10 a.m. The spotted bass should be bedding in the next week or so.”

Walleye: Wes reports, “The walleye have started making their journey back down the tributaries from the spawn. There are a few fish left in the creek channels that can be caught. The postspawn bite should be good this year. We have been catching some really nice fish the last two days with a couple heavier than the 6-lb. mark. We have been trolling Crawler Harnesses lately (a rig for nightcrawlers). This has been very productive. Try maintaining a constant speed (1.8 mph) in 18 to 20 feet of water. This pattern should hold for the next couple of weeks.”

Brown Trout: Wes reports, “Most of the brown trout are hanging around the creek channels. These fish are biting any color stickbait or small crankbait thrown their direction. Speed is the key to catching a big brown trout this time of year. Try working the plastic bait really fast just below the surface. Hold on tight. Some of these trout are heavier than 5 pounds.”