How to Fish Burntside Lake

Burntside Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 38-48°F. Lake trout actively feeding in pre-spawn period, moving between deep water sanctuaries and transitional zones as they prepare for spawning Fish following cisco and whitefish schools, using structural elements like points and humps as ambush locations More aggressive feeding behavior during early morning and late evening, particularly in areas where baitfish schools concentrate Key locations: Deep water shelves and transitions zones between 30-50 feet; Underwater humps and points that connect to deep water basins; Rocky shoreline areas with quick access to deeper water. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+), Trolling Deep (20'+), Tubes, Spoons. Primary forage: Ciscoes, Whitefish, Small Lake Trout. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Burntside Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 45-55°F. Transitioning from winter deep water areas to shallow spawning flats, staging on adjacent structure Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warming trends Moving along migration routes that connect deep wintering areas to spawning locations Key locations: Rock piles and boulder fields adjacent to potential spawning flats in 8-15 foot depth range; Main lake points with good sun exposure and gradual slopes; Protected bays with hard bottom and scattered rock. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked slowly along transitional structure, Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses over rock piles, Tubes dragged slowly on bottom near staging areas. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Cisco schools in deeper water adjacent to staging areas, Small perch near rocky structure. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Shad Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 38-48°F. Lake trout are transitioning from winter deep-water patterns to shallower spawning areas, actively feeding to prepare for spawning activities Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, making them more likely to chase and strike moving baits Schools of lake trout will be congregating around spawning areas, particularly near rocky structures and drop-offs Key locations: Rocky points and shelves adjacent to deeper water, particularly in 20-35 foot depth range; Underwater humps with gravel or rock substrate; Transitional areas between deep basins and shallow flats. Best techniques: Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with large profile baits to cover water and locate active fish, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') once schools are located, Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes. Primary forage: Ciscoes congregating in transitional depths, Whitefish schools in slightly deeper water, Smaller lake trout (cannibalistic feeding). Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Burntside Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Moving shallow (2-12 feet) to stage for spawning, with males preparing and guarding nests while females periodically move up from slightly deeper water Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, particularly on firm, rocky bottom areas protected from heavy wind Key locations: Protected rocky bays and coves with gravel or boulder bottom composition; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Shallow rock piles adjacent to deeper water. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly along bottom near spawning areas, Ned Rigs fished with subtle hops around nesting sites, Soft Jerkbaits for fish staging slightly deeper. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small perch and juvenile baitfish. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 42-52°F. Lake trout actively feeding in cooler water temperatures, transitioning from winter deep water patterns to more moderate depths as they recover from spawning Fish following cisco and whitefish schools along transitional zones between deep basins and structural elements Key locations: Transitional shelves between deep basins (30-50ft) and shallow flats; Underwater humps and points adjacent to deep water; Rocky shoreline areas with quick access to deeper water. Best techniques: Trolling Mid Depth (10-19'), Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Tubes. Primary forage: Ciscoes, Whitefish. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Burntside Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Fish transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively feeding but still relatively shallow Most aggressive during early morning and evening hours, using points and rocky areas as primary feeding zones Moving between shallow feeding areas (8-15 feet) and slightly deeper transition areas (15-25 feet) throughout the day Key locations: Main lake points with boulder transitions to deeper water; Rocky shorelines adjacent to post-spawn bays; Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel in 8-15 feet. Best techniques: Soft Jerkbaits worked with aggressive twitches followed by long pauses, Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky transitions, Ned Rigs worked slowly on points and rocky flats. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small perch and juvenile baitfish, Pelagic baitfish (ciscoes) in open water areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Summer?

Water temp 48-52°F. Lake trout moving deeper (30-50 ft) seeking optimal temperature zones during summer thermocline Concentrating near structure adjacent to deep basins, making periodic movements to forage Key locations: Deep water humps and underwater structure in 30-50 foot range; Transitional shelves between deep basins and shallow flats; Points and underwater extensions that drop into deep water. Best techniques: Trolling Deep (20'+), Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+), Spoons. Primary forage: Ciscoes, Whitefish, Small Lake Trout. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Burntside Lake in Summer?

Water temp 65-78°F. Actively feeding on both crawfish and baitfish near rocky structure, with peak activity during lower light periods Using boulder-strewn points as primary feeding zones, transitioning between shallow and deeper water based on light and temperature Key locations: Rock piles and boulder-strewn points in the north arm; Deep water transitions adjacent to rocky structure; Secondary points with scattered rock in 8-15 foot depth range. Best techniques: Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions, Small swimbaits on light jigheads around points, Drop Shot with finesse presentations in deeper water. Primary forage: Crawfish in and around rocky structure, Small baitfish relating to points and transitions, Pelagic baitfish (ciscoes) in open water areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Fall?

Water temp 48-55°F. Lake trout are transitioning to pre-winter feeding patterns, actively hunting cisco/whitefish schools in preparation for winter Fish are moving between deep basin areas and structural elements like points and shelves, following temperature preferences and baitfish movements Key locations: Deep water transitions near points and shelves (30-50 ft range); Underwater humps and structural elements where baitfish schools congregate; Main lake points with access to deep water basins. Best techniques: Trolling Deep (20'+), Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+), Spoons. Primary forage: Cisco schools gathering for fall spawning movements, Whitefish in deeper water, Small lake trout. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Burntside Lake in Fall?

Water temp 48-62°F. Smallmouth bass are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools (particularly cisco) into deeper water as temperatures cool Fish are schooling more aggressively, often found in wolf packs pursuing baitfish in open water near deep structure Key locations: Deep rocky points adjacent to cisco-holding basins (15-30 feet); Steep breaks and rock piles near deep water (20-35 feet); Offshore humps and structures near primary lake basins. Best techniques: Drop Shot with small profile baits for suspended fish, Blade Baits worked vertically through baitfish schools, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish chasing baitfish. Primary forage: Cisco and whitefish schools moving to deeper, cooler water, Crawfish remaining active on rocky structure, Small perch schooling near deep structure. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Winter?

Water temp 34-42°F. Lake trout actively feeding on cisco/whitefish schools near structural elements and transitional zones, with most aggressive feeding during early morning and late afternoon Fish suspending near deep water access points, moving between 30-50 foot depths as they follow baitfish schools Key locations: Deep water shelves and transitional zones between 30-50 feet adjacent to shallow flats; Underwater humps and structural elements with access to deep water; Points and steep breaks where baitfish schools concentrate. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+), Trolling Deep (20'+), Tubes. Primary forage: Ciscoes, Whitefish. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Lake Trout on Burntside Lake in Ice?

Water temp 33-39°F. Lake trout actively feeding on cisco/whitefish schools along transitional depth zones between deep basins and shallow flats Fish positioning on structural elements (humps) at 30-50 foot depths, using these locations as ambush points for cruising baitfish Key locations: Shelves and breaks between deep water and shallow flats in 30-50 foot range; Offshore humps with access to deep water; Transitional zones where baitfish schools concentrate. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Spoons tipped with whole shiners, worked actively to trigger reaction strikes, Tubes bounced along bottom in 40 foot range, Ice Fishing Jigs worked vertically through baitfish schools. Primary forage: Cisco/Whitefish schools actively moving through fishing areas, Various smaller minnow species concentrated near structure. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Green Colors, Light Neutral Colors.