Lake Burton Fishing Report – October 2021

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: 77 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Capt. Wes Carlton reports, “Lake Burton has started turning over, and the bite is picking up. The spots are ranging in depths from 9 feet of water to 25 feet. The biggest concentrations seem to be in 25 feet near the creek channels close to the main river channel. Most of the bigger spots we’re catching are in 20 feet of water. These fish have been biting a drop-shot finesse worm (dark colors). Try to position the boat away from the point or hump that you are fishing and work the jig quickly back toward the boat. The topwater Spook bite has also picked up. Be ready for schooling fish. We have had several big schools come up top this past week. This means we’re only a week or two away from a shallow-water bite. I have seen more fish and bait on the electronics the last few weeks than in previous years. The bite should transition to shallower water.  Look out October. The bite is gonna be ON!”

Brown Trout: Capt. Wes Carlton reports, “The brown trout are grouping up in their late-summer pattern. It seems with the cooling water temperatures that things are progressing faster this year. We have been catching most of our brown trout trolling crankbaits and spoons (white). Most of the trout are holding on a 30- to 40-foot bottom and biting baits in the 20-foot range. The size of the trout has decreased, but the number of fish has come up. Look for these fish to become more aggressive and bite more often throughout the day as we head into early fall.” 

Yellow Perch: Capt. Wes Carlton reports, “The perch bite is on fire! These fish are biting a drop-shot rig tipped with any bait (fluke, worm, minnows). Look for these fish in 15 to 20 feet of water near the grassbeds. Brushpiles and rocks are other good locations to scout. Good electronics always help when locating the yellow perch.”