Burnt Mills is too low to launch

Just figured I would save anyone a trip who was thinking of fishing Burnt Mills. I was there yesterday and the ramp is unusable to launch a boat. Water level is just too low. Plan B was to reluctantly go to Western Branch as I only caught 3 crappie there the previous Saturday but I headed there anyways and landed a whopping 14 crappie of which the biggest was right at 1lb. Most were caught 20' deep casting a pearl BGBS. What a difference a year makes as on 9-2-2013 I caught 134 crappie at Western Branch. Been a very slow year of fishing for me, while I averaged 43 crappie per trip last year I am only averaging 18 this year.

Thanks for the report on BM. That is one of the places I want to go to when I get my boat ready.

Thanks George, I'd rather fight the ramp at BM than the 75+ boats and trailers at Cahoon/Mead, at least ya picked up a few at branch

It sure is great to get a fishing report George!! I have not been fishing much this year. I have only been to the suffolk lakes two times this year with not much going on. This fall I plan on fishing the rivers with my newer boat. Hope to see ya on the water.

Never fished BM, but thanks for the info.

Great to hear from you George. Scott and I are puttin a boat together on a tight budget to fish the smaller lakes. Right now its motor problems. Its an old one thats been sitting around for a very long time. Hopefully this fall we will be out with it. Thanks for the report.

Sorry for the late notice, but I didn't expect to lower the lake quite so far. We needed to lower the lake to perform maintenance around the dam and the valve was left "cracked" open over the weekend since there was a chance of rain. The work is being performed today and the late will refill when it rains.

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Originally Posted by Norfolk Reservoir Manager

Sorry for the late notice, but I didn't expect to lower the lake quite so far. We needed to lower the lake to perform maintenance around the dam and the valve was left "cracked" open over the weekend since there was a chance of rain. The work is being performed today and the late will refill when it rains.

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We spoke this morning about my concern of the lake level. My boat and my neighbors are tied to our docks. I certainly hope for rain soon as it is difficult to get out. On a better note, my wife and I have been slaying the crappie, most 10-12 inches long but we are catching 30-40 an hour.Been keeping just enough for an evening meal with the rest released.We are using an 1/8 oz jig with a Kalins 2" grub in John Deere green. Trolling until we find a school and then casting to them.

Good report B-S.

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Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Good report B-S.

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Thanks for the info. At WB are you fishing the main lake or feeder creeks?

Only one of my 14 crappie were up a creek, the rest were main lake which is where I spend most of my time.

Thanks TapOut. Good info. I'm going to try tight lining several rods with BGBS. That seemed to work better for me earlier in the year on BM. Perhaps that will be more productive at WB.

Good Fishin

Looks like you all might have to go to kayak fishing Burnt Mills.

Water is slowly rising with this much needed rain. It will still be quite a while before anyone can launch a boat. I'm thinking lake will have to rise at least two feet. I did go out yesterday morning for a few hours, remember I said it is impossible to launch from the public ramp, only landowners have access to the lake right now, or so I thought. I saw a fellow in a johnboat with no trolling motor. He watched me wacking the crappie and finally came over. It was the Fish and Game man. After checking me I asked why in the world would he come to Burnt Mills as the cable was up and no one could launch. Said there was complaints from landowners about folks fishing without a Norfolk permit. I call BS, none of us living here look to see who has a permit, hell on a good day you might see ten trailers. I had to share this as it just doesn't make sense.
Sorry for rambling. I did catch the heck out of them, including 4 very small bass, numerous bluegill and about 50 specks. Kept 12 for dinner. Trolling in 8-10 foot of water, John Deer green Kalins grub.

Where did the game warden launch from?

I am assuming at the old campground.

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Originally Posted by Blue Steel

I am assuming at the old campground.

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Fish and Game was on Western Branch yesterday morning. Only 3 boats on the lake.