Burton Lake, Virginia - Reports, Lake Info, Pictures

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Description:

Burton Lake is a Reservoir in Pittsylvania, Virginia.

Have you fished Burton Lake? Help your fellow anglers out by giving a fishing report, some fishing tips or general information about Burton Lake.

Do you have a question about Burton Lake, ask it here.

Lake Burton is an impoundment of Tomahawk Creek and is relatively shallow (average depth 10.2 ft.) and contains a number of fish species that were not originally stocked. These species either were in Tomahawk Creek prior to impoundment or were stocked by anglers. Carp, suckers, and gizzard shad currently dominate the fishery. Small impoundments such as Lake Burton typically do not benefit from these species because they cause the sport fish populations to become unbalanced. Carp and suckers tend to keep water muddy while gizzard shad contribute to stunted sunfish populations.

Turbid water and an abundance of undesirable fish species have resulted in an unbalanced fishery in Lake Burton. Lake Burton has a fair largemouth bass fishery with a few 6 pound + fish. However, these fish are not abundant and may be hard to catch due to the large quantity of forage. The large number of bluegill can provide fast action for sunfish anglers but these fish are small and an increase in size is not likely in the near future. Crappie are abundant with only a few good size fish being caught.

Fishing Tips, Tactics, How-To info:

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass abundance is low due to poor recruitment. The abundance of crappie, bluegill, carp, and suckers may be preventing adequate spawning success or young fish survival for largemouth bass. The largemouth bass are growing well from the abundance of forage. The average size of adult bass in 2001 was 14.6 inches and the largest was approximately 8 pounds. These fish reach 16 inches at age 5, which is very good growth. Largemouth bass were most abundant between the boat ramp and the dam where water depths are generally more favorable.

Crappie

White crappie are the dominant crappie species at Lake Burton. White crappie prefer turbid water for optimum reproduction and will usually outnumber black crappie in turbid lakes or where there is turbid areas to spawn. Crappie in this lake are abundant but are growing very poorly. For good growth, crappie must convert to a primarily fish diet by the time they reach 6-7 inches. Since these fish appear to be too abundant, their growth stops when they reach seven inches. It is very common for crappie to be overabundant and stop growing at this size. When this happens they do not die from lack of food, they just stop growing. There were only 2 crappie collected over 8 inches in the 2001 sample. Only a few black crappie were collected and the largest was 7 inches.

Sunfish

Bluegill were also very abundant. The overabundant bluegill population is likely a result of reduced predation from the lack of largemouth bass and the abundance of other small fish and shad. Growth is fair and levels off at age 5 when they are 6 inches. Adequate predation from largemouth bass is needed to maintain healthy sunfish populations. In addition, gizzard shad and carp can compete directly for the same forage as bluegill. Most bluegill at Lake Burton do not exceed 6 inches.

Catfish

Channel catfish and flat bullhead are both present at Lake Burton. Neither of these species is abundant despite annual stocking of channel catfish. Channel catfish stockings were recently changed to stocking fewer but larger sizes. It is too early to make adequate conclusions of the new catfish stocking program.

Facilities and Parks:

The only facilities available at this reservoir are a boat ramp and associated parking. Bank fishing is allowed and there is a narrow strip of land that extends around the entire shoreline that can be utilized by bank anglers.

Notes:

The lake is open to fishing 24 hours a day. Outboard motors are prohibited but electric motor use is permitted.

Directions to Lake:

This reservoir is located west of Chatham and can be accessed by taking one of
two routes. From Rt. 40 turn left onto Rt. 799 then turn right onto 649 at Climax then turn then turn left onto Rt. 750 and then turn right onto Rt. 800 and the lake entrance will be on your left. Coming in on Rt. 57 from Climax turn right onto Rt. 750 and then turn left onto Rt. 800 and the lake entrance will be on your left.

Fish: