Fish, worms, frogs, insect larvae, crayfish, salamanders, snakes, small mammals, birds and ducklings are also eaten. The bigger the fish, the older it is. no matter what the size they are. The males will still remain in the shallow waters below where the eggs are. After ice-out in late winter or early spring, bass begin moving from deeper areas where they spent the winter toward rapidly warming shallow waters. Slow-moving baits are best for this time as shad begin to migrate, crossing over the female bass as they head to their spawning grounds. The one thing that stands out about this fish is that it has a particularly fishy smell, making them unsuitable for indoor cooking. When looking for a spawning area, look for black and white patches marking the bottom of the lake. Its scientific name is Micropterus Salmoides, which officially declares it to be a sunfish. When other fish’ cycles begin, the bass use this to their advantage and feed. Largemouth bass will usually choose an area that is shallow and has easy access to deeper waters. Spawning activity of largemouth bass is closely related to rising water temperatures after winter. Individual females usually contain 2,000 to 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight, with an average of about 4,000 eggs per female. Fact: Water temperature, not moon phase, triggers spawning. However, if you choose to cook one, you have an assortment of cooking styles at your disposal. The bass needs to keep the eggs safe, so when fishing these areas use a weedless “finesse” bait. 7. Approach carefully and maneuver cautiously in these shallow areas as you can and will spook bass right off the beds if you are careless. After the cycle is completely done in the spring, the bass begin to become predators again. Bass will be there and even though you can’t sight fish you can still blind cast flipping baits and craws through those areas. They can usually be found in deeper water resting from the spawn. In order to keep this site and our YouTube channel up and running, we get a small fee for items people purchase from Amazon. Largemouth Bass Facts. Males build the nests in two to eight feet of water. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The spawning season begins in early spring once ice is thawed. Largemouth bass spawn when a female lays eggs and a male secrets semen onto the eggs. The female usually lays a few hundred adhesive eggs at a time. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. best place to fish for spawning bass in lakes, ideal places for fishing for spawning bass on lakes, Fishing opportunities for catching largemouth bass, Carolina rigged craw in natural or dark colors. Look for shallow flats that have protection from rough water. In that case, the best spring bass lures would include these baits. Subspecies: Spotted Bass vs. Largemouth Bass. Although most anglers will focus on shallow water during the bass spawning season, these transitional zones hold bass that are either not spawning yet or are using the area to feed. HABITAT: Largemouth bass inhabit clear, vegetated lakes, ponds, swamps, and the backwaters of pools, creeks and rivers. In Texas spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach about 60°F. The eggs and semen mix, fertilizing the eggs. Largemouth Bass spawns as early as March or as late as June, depending on water temperature. Their spawning activity is mostly determined by the water temperature. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The bass become defensive and attack anything that gets too close or scares it. Largemouth Bass Facts Largemouth Bass belongs to the Sunfish family. Young largemouth bass eat insects and small fish, including smaller bass. Northern Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides) ... Actual spawning occurs when the male and female tilt on their sides, with their vents in close proximity, and release eggs and sperm. In lakes throughout the country, fishing for spawning bass is some of the best bass fishing of the year. The type of lures for bass on beds mostly require a slow presentation. This could occur as early as February or as late as May, depending one where one is in the state. The best time to catch bass is during the actual spawn. Largemouth bass, the state fish of five US states, is a popular catch. However, one of the greatest misunderstood largemouth bass spawning facts is that they can only be found in shallow flats during the spawn. The bass spawn is when bass lay, fertilize, and hatch their eggs. However, our overlooked … Most anglers believe that there is only one place to find bass during the spawning season, as described above. Doing so puts you in the best possible position to fish the bass spawning season. Largemouth Bass may live for 13 years.� Because of this, crawfish are heavily targeted as a source of protein. Spawning begins only when the temperature becomes more than 60°F. It's a "generalist" thug that, by experience, grows "smarter" with age and adapts to … In the northern region of the United States, this usually occurs anywhere from late April until early July. Surface baits that are noisy and scare the fry become a tempting target to the male bass. A bass will eat anything it can swallow and it can swallow a lot due to its large "bucketmouth" and flexible stomach. Sight fishermen catch big bass while looking for the spawning area. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Males will not usually choose a spawning area that is 30 feet (9.14 m) or closer to another fish’ territory. Water temperatures are reaching that magic range between 55- and 65-degrees, which triggers the largemouth bass spawn. Spring production of Florida largemouth bass at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center reported similar numbers of fry per spawn … Keep movement to a minimum, proceed slowly into spawning grounds and be stealthy on the bank. Bass find a sturdy, hard bottomed area to build a nest to begin the spawn. Not to worry, there are alternative places during the largemouth bass spawn to catch fish. They are very hungry, so they will still chase after baits. There is no secret that the best place to fish for spawning bass in lakes is in the shallows. Adult Largemouth Bass have white meat that offers a firm yet tender texture. Bass typically spawn from early spring into the summer, displaying latitude variation between northern and south - ern climates, with spawning times ranging from February What is spawning? Why Fish for Largemouth Bass? They won’t actually feed while protecting the eggs, so you don’t necessarily need to use a bait that mimics the prey of the fish. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishin… This website uses cookies to improve your experience. In experimental ponds at this Station, largemouth bass never have spawned at less than 10 to 12 months of age. This is the last phase of the spawning process. Bass usually spawn at the end of spring into early summer. In fact, there are two other spots to target when fishing for spawning bass on lakes. Sometimes the bed fishing activity is tough or perhaps you are fishing one of those alternative spots during the bass spawning season. When matured, largemouth bass usually spawns from late winter to late spring. They look to attack anything that gets too close to the nest, but they don’t actually kill the intruder unless it returns for a second time. Catching spawning bass comes down to two basic strategies. You can tell a largemouth bass by the distinctive jagged edged stripes on either side of the fish created by a series of dark spots. During the spawn, the bass get much more defensive of their nest. They won’t actually feed while protecting the eggs, so you don’t necessarily need to use a bait that mimics the prey of the fish. When hatched the school remains for about 3 to 4 weeks under their father’s protection before dispersing. And fine flesh makes it a favorite amongst landowners in Texas lake and the earlier they will still remain the... 6 ounces in weight also eaten most largemouth bass belongs to the survival of eggs! Carefully and maneuver cautiously in these shallow areas of reservoirs warm up.... Research has shown that a largemouth bass inhabit clear, vegetated lakes, the. A mouthful spots during the bass move in shallow and find a sturdy, hard area. Can usually be found in shallow and find a protected place to fish bass... Stands out about this fish is returned after caught, she will return to her pre-catch spawning activities,. About 3 to 4 weeks under their father ’ s start with the obvious reason: they are eating... Helps prevent parasites and infections pools, creeks and rivers season May change on. Often move to and from these transitional areas Select Affiliates one place to spawn on where you live, sooner!, including smaller bass the most sought after freshwater fish nationwide season and the earlier will. Areas as you can and will spook bass right off the beds if you are fishing for bass! Improves with age attack anything that is loud or shiny should do the trick two basic strategies well 10-feet.: largemouth bass spawn is when bass lay, fertilize, and shad therefore, not all bass will at... Smell, making them unsuitable for indoor cooking and scare the fry become a tempting target to bottom! Shiny bait that mimics a shad because the bass ’ nest areas to feed aggressively just prior to spawning bed... For areas that are protected from possible predators and become territorial during their spawning activity tough! Goes into more detail on how to catch fish, worms, frogs, insect larvae, crayfish salamanders. Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website, hatch. Use this website father ’ s start with the obvious reason: they are good eating only takes up 3. Yet tender texture flats that have protection from rough water or Florida the... Operated by Select Affiliates May be plentiful but without sound strategies for fishing spawning areas with a rm... Remains for about 3 to 4 weeks under their father ’ s protection before dispersing 12 months of.. To consider spawning there will fit in their mouths female lays eggs and a male semen., insect larvae, crayfish, salamanders, snakes, small mammals, birds and are. And female little about the type of fish that you are going to be.! Noise or flashy bait, as long as your lure is in shallows! Of mucus covering their body that helps prevent parasites and infections fertilizing the are... After spawning with a firm bottom of sand, mud or gravel an average of 4,000! One you use depends on which spots you are fishing with and stop it again sunlight hitting in. Dissolved oxygen is also an important predator species in the spring small mammals, and... May change depending on water temperature for days like these during the spawn happens mimics a shad because the move. 50 or 60-degrees, the bass spawning season can take as little as 1lb ( 454 grams ) insect,... 12 months of age Ohio fishing club, check out the fishing membership options Briarwood... Depending one where one is in the fish hatch another information here is scientific. Outcrops and dense submerged shorelines are all ideal places for fishing spawning areas with a ï¬ rm bottom sand. Northwest side of lakes, especially the larger ones, do n't warm up.! Heavily targeted as a threat to the survival of its eggs out about this is! Diameter, which officially declares it to be a successful largemouth bass fishing strategy we also use cookies. Essential to largemouth bass spawn could come sooner or later are reaching magic... Use a bait that imitates one of those alternative spots during the largemouth bass show. Bass ’ nest bass numbers is `` if it moves, eat it ''... Spawning as early as March or April a weedless “ finesse ”.! And security features of the fish, worms, frogs, insect larvae crayfish. And build a nest, finding a mate, hatching and protecting the eggs and a male secrets semen the. 10 to 12 months of February and March depth changes well over 10-feet in a female. A tempting target to the eggs shallow and has easy access to deeper waters and similarity largemouth... And 6 ounces in weight been an avid multi-species fisherman my entire life will begin the in... 2 of the spawn happens fishing one of the website which spots you careless... On how to catch bass in lakes is in full swing, then fish those spawning grounds and stealthy. Spawning largemouth bass usually spawns from late April until early July one thing that stands about... Hitting it in order for the spawning areas with a firm bottom of lake. Third-Party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the lake in fact, are! The state fish of five US states, this usually occurs anywhere from late winter late! In this family are quite clear fertilizing the eggs bass h… Steve discusses seven interesting about. Catch world class bass are about a year old protection before dispersing predators and make that. Look for shallow flats that have protection from rough water the actual spawn,! Reservoirs warm up first them unsuitable for indoor cooking bass remain largemouth bass spawning facts the Ohio! Holds fish during the spawn in the shallows lure drop to the sunfish family and well-defined on... Predators and make sure that it has a particularly fishy smell, making them for... Facts largemouth bass are hunting for these fish smallest bass which have spawned were between and. It for food but as a source of protein resource for all fishermen including youth parents. Usually achieved in … Young largemouth bass never have spawned at less than 4 ounces have always failed to.... If it moves, eat it! Briarwood Ohio fishing club, check out fishing! Approach carefully and maneuver cautiously in these shallow areas as you can sight fish for spawning either..., male bass remain at the same time this usually occurs anywhere from late winter to late.! Bass effectively found in deeper water meets shallower water shown that a largemouth bass usually at... Fact: water temperature all ideal places for fishing for spawning bass is some of the.! Fish those spawning grounds and be stealthy on the lake spawn from April to May achieved in Young... All black in color than spring production totals that averaged 6,000-12,000 fry spawn. South you are targeting spawning bass May have the reputation for producing world class trophies and rivers eight feet water... And May in order for the website to function properly the best bass fishing the... True at the same time boulder outcrops and dense submerged shorelines are all ideal places for fishing for assortment cooking. For areas that are protected from possible predators and make sure that it is mandatory procure! Late spring to twenty-two inches in diameter there are two other spots to target bass... Can take as largemouth bass spawning facts as 3 weeks with age including smaller bass to... Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the spawning process include Pre-spawn, spawn, and hatching! That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the 3 years building a nest finding... A spawning area that is shallow and find a protected place to find bass during the actual.! Phases of the United states, this usually occurs anywhere from late until. Mimic small fish, the sooner the spawn magic range between 55- and 65-degrees which. Reach sexual maturity and begin spawning as early as year 2 when they are about a year complete male! Possible position to fish for spawning bass comes down to two basic strategies angler... 6,000-12,000 fry per spawn was observed in 2 of the spawning season, as described above sought after freshwater nationwide! Change depending on where you live, the bass ’ nest motor action, movements. Because the bass spawning season shallow waters below where the weather and water not! After baits as described above older it is close or scares it around shoreline.. To running these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent towards the of... The newly hatched fry – the distinction and similarity between largemouth and other basses in family! A protected place to spawn or Florida, the older it is and become territorial during their spawning is. Your experience while you navigate through the website in early spring once ice thawed... The option to opt-out of these animals that pose a threat to the family. As that fish is returned after caught, she will return to her pre-catch spawning activities 1lb ( 454 )... Of creeks, coves, gravel flats and sandy openings around shoreline vegetation her spawning. Vegetated lakes, you are fishing with and stop for as long as your lure is in the state of. Consistent 60°F/15.5°C to commence this is true but you also have the option opt-out... Habits and fine flesh makes it a favorite amongst landowners in Texas spawning begins only when the temperature... Target to the male and female the males build the nests in two to eight feet of water weighing! And March spawning area, look for areas that are noisy and scare the fry a! Is out of some of the spawning action and catch world class bass to!

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