eScanoe Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 I spent a few hours fishing Burke Lake today. I caught a LM bass around 12" in a drop-off at about 10' deep on a plastic lizard. I also caught a couple of small blue gills and a channel catfish on a nightcrawler. It wasn't a terribly exciting fishing trip, but not bad for this time of the year. When I was leaving, there was an elderly gentleman and his wife near the boat ramp. I visited with them for a while. He was retired from the federal Fish and Wildlife Service. He was disappointed that there was no longer a sign at the boat ramp indicating federal matching funds through the Dingell-Johnson program. I had not realized the federal program that taxes tackle had helped establish the lake. Quote
Slip Gun Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Nice find! I ran off to lake Accotink yesterday and landed just one small large mouth bass. It was pretty unexciting there - I was actually thinking Monday I would go for Burke lake and I guess ill try to make that happen now . Did you rent a boat? I was thinking about renting one sometime if you want to go out again sometime soon let me know. Quote
05aucrarsx Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 nice catch, i will probably try out burke lake sometimes this week Quote
eScanoe Posted July 13, 2009 Author Posted July 13, 2009 Quote Did you rent a boat? I was thinking about renting one sometime if you want to go out again sometime soon let me know. I have a Coleman Scanoe with a trolling motor on it. It'll probably be a couple of weeks before I make it back out again. Unfortunately, next weekend is booked for me unless something changes. Quote
05aucrarsx Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 any certain spots at the laker good for bass? or just work along side the bank? haven't been back there for like 2 yrs even though i live like 10 mins away Quote
stunning Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 Fish it at night. The points and brush piles are great. Quote
05aucrarsx Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 i thought it's closed at night? is there a way to get in? Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 14, 2009 Super User Posted July 14, 2009 it's open at night. You have to park in the VDGIF lot. It is a bit farther south off of rt. 123 from the main entrance. Quote
Hung up Paul Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 Somebody needs to show me where the elusive brush piles are. Quote
quanjig Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 Ahhhhh, that's where time spent looking is esential!! Or you can go to the office and see if they have any maps of the lake. Go to the VGIF site and look at the map they have. Otherwise I have given a map to Andrew and he may be able to make a copy for you. It has quite a few piles that are not known to many folks. Quote
stunning Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 I know of only 3 brush piles........Is there more? Quote
quanjig Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 7 at least to my knowledge. Some of these are not much brush and much more pile (cinder blocks) Quote
Hung up Paul Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 I located several "beer bottle" piles the last time I fished it in May. LOL All I could think of was a guy sitting in his boat anchored in one location hanging out for several hours finishing off his 12 pack and dropping the bottles in a pile on the lake bottom. Quote
eScanoe Posted July 15, 2009 Author Posted July 15, 2009 Quote it's open at night. You have to park in the VDGIF lot. It is a bit farther south off of rt. 123 from the main entrance. I am getting into night fishing and have done it a few times at Burke Lake with some success. However, I am wondering what other options are available. Is there anyone that has found a way for the general public to have night access to Occoquan Reservoir? Any other night fishing places in the area people like. Potomac is a little big for me to venture into with a scanoe at night. Quote
Bigs Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 Nice lil catch. I need to get out there and try my luck on these brush piles. I know theres gotta be some 4+ pounders in there. On a sidenote I caught 2 bass out in burke yesterday at a pond within the first 10 minutes of being there and didnt catch another after lol Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 15, 2009 Super User Posted July 15, 2009 I haven't found any legal night fishing spots in the area other than Burke. There might be some but I don't know for sure. Quote
S3NKO Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 When you buy the Regional Launch Pass Fountainhead/Pohick Bay/Occoquan launch pass you get the option of a bull run launch key, extra 10 bucks. This key allows you to open the gate for Bull Run marina and launch access. While I've never launched there at night, I've seen several people multiple times launch at 7 or 8 pm, and I know they are not leaving by dark. Could be an option for you. I know it closes at dark, but the Quan is mainly privately owned shoreline, and I know dock owners are going out at night. I don't see why Bull Run launchers aren't staying out into the night. Probably not allowed, but I think it happens. Burke Lake - If your in the area and want to fish from shore/kayak better to spend your time at Lake Mercer. Smaller, but full of cover. Aside from the main access point there are several neigborhood parking spots. Wear Tivas and walk the shorline in the water/or put a kayak in from the neigborhood. I used to fish here everyday prior to getting a boat. Used to fish/drink here at night when I was younger. Off the beaten path, so cops are limited and exit points are plenty. Quote
05aucrarsx Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 fished at burke lake today from 4-6pm, no luck as expected. ohh well....enjoyed the weather Quote
Hung up Paul Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 Try fishing Burke Lake with live bait some time. I've seen a 7+ lber. caught off the fishing pier using a live bluegill. Same day another guy caught a 4-5 lb. fish dragging a live crayfish. From my experience live bait is the key to fishing that lake in the daytime anyway. Quote
eScanoe Posted July 17, 2009 Author Posted July 17, 2009 Quote I haven't found any legal night fishing spots in the area other than Burke. There might be some but I don't know for sure. I've been meaning to check out Beaverdam Creek Reservoir, and haven't made it there yet. Is access to it cut off at night? Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 17, 2009 Super User Posted July 17, 2009 Quote Quote I haven't found any legal night fishing spots in the area other than Burke. There might be some but I don't know for sure. I've been meaning to check out Beaverdam Creek Reservoir, and haven't made it there yet. Is access to it cut off at night? If you are asking me whether or not it is possible (but not necessarily legal) to fish B'Dam at night then I would have to answer: Yes, to the best of my knowledge there is no way to lock or close the launch area at B'Dam. As far as I remember there is just a dirt road down to the parking area and launch. There may be a gate that I don't remember seeing but as far as I remember there isn't one. That said, I still don't know if you are allowed to be there at night. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 17, 2009 Super User Posted July 17, 2009 is there a gate at the launch by the church? I didn't remember seeing one. Quote
slomoe Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 I don't think so, but I wouldn't be surprised if the po-po made rounds there to ticket/tow cars parked in the lot. I'm pretty sure there's a sign at both launches that state the park closes at dark. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 17, 2009 Super User Posted July 17, 2009 Quote I don't think so, but I wouldn't be surprised if the po-po made rounds there to ticket/tow cars parked in the lot. I'm pretty sure there's a sign at both launches that state the park closes at dark. ok, that's what I thought. It's possible to fish there at night but not legal. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.