Lake Burton Fishing Report – August 2017

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: 83 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The bass have finally worked into a summer pattern. These fish are hanging in the 20- to 30-foot depths. Drop-shooting a Robo Worm (morning-dawn color) has been very effective for us. Try working grass flats in the backs of creeks. We have also had success working brush with jerkbaits off of the main-lake channel. A white Super Spin tipped with a albino fluke is always a go-to bait this time of year. I like this underspin bait because we catch bass and trout on these lures. Try throwing the underspin in the 30-foot depths, and work it slowly just above the bottom back toward the boat through the 20-foot water column.”

Trout: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The brown trout are numerous this season. Getting these fish to eat has been a little tricky. Crappie minnows have been the most effective way of fishing for the trout so far this summer. We have seen some really big schools but are only catching a few fish out of a school. Hopefully the brown trout will fire up as the water temps reach the low 80s. The trolling bite should take off soon. These fish will be congregated on the south regions of the lake.”

Yellow Perch: Guide Wes Carlton reports, “The perch have congregated in deeper water over the last week or so. These fish are bitting anything dropped to them. We have caught them on crappie minnows, drop-shot rigs with small flukes, crappie jigs and small brass-colored spoons. The key is being able to locate them on the electronics. I spend a significant amount of time scanning the floor of the lake before dropping baits. Keep a crappie jig or panfish jig handy when scouting for perch. Start off looking for grass in the 18- to 22-foot depths. This is where most of the perch will be hanging out. The bigger perch seem to be a little deeper in 20 to 30 feet. This pattern should continue for the next few weeks.”