Spawn - timing

[Ryan McCaw]

Where is the spawn happening right now. Too cold up in Iowa but I know it has to be going somewhere to the south.

[Allen Morgan]

I think the pond where I work is spawning right now.  Full moon was a couple nights ago.  I haven't been able to catch numbers of fish like I was last week.  Been using homemade in-line spinners.  Last week it was on gang-buster style.  This week, I might get a fish to grab the spinner for a few seconds, then they let go.

I always wear my polarized glasses, and I've seen what appeared to be beds on the bottom of the pond (the water got really clear).  Problem is, I think it's LMB beds, not panfish.  I've caught a few fish by slowly stripping a Wooly Bugger in.

I have GOT to get a water temp reading on this pond to give myself a better idea of what's going on.

[chris kowaleski]

The bass spawn was on pretty hard a few weeks ago, but i think there are some still spawning. The redbreasts are definitley spawning now though, since i've seen more of them on beds than bass lately. The water is constantly 72 degrees year round, so i'm not sure how it'll keep playing out.

[Angelo C Mastrando Jr.]

Somewhat in southern nj, The Bass aren't heavy on beds yet, The Gill's are doing pretty decent what I've saw. Weather is being weird going hot to cold messing with their patterns. It is different from pond to pond,  lake to lake.

[John Grider]

All indications were the blue gills were bedding in my pond yesterday, After 4 (count 'em 4) years of trying, I finally got a decent bloom and can't see diddly but I kept quickly getting nice fish from the same areas I saw beds last year.

[dick tabbert]

The lakes I fish in Southern Michigan you can almost count on the gills using the same area's for there beds year after year. As to when rule of thumb the first full moon in may in our area if the water temps cooperate. I'm thinking this will be a late year our water temps here are about 58 degrees. Of coarse a few good days of sun and that could all change. First to warm up will be the north end of the lakes so if you can find a sandy/gravel area at the north end that would be the place to check, like I said if the water warms up.

[Red]

I'm on the TN River between Chattanooga and Knoxville ... no spawn yet ... water still in the mid 60's in the creeks ... need it to warm up just a little more. Supposed to be in the 80's this week (air temp), so we're probably a week or so away. The Crappie have been awesome though. I did see some bass on the bed the other day, so the gills won't be far behind.

 

Red

[Allen Morgan]

Well, I checked the temp in the pond at work.  Surface temp, on the wind-blown shore, in the shade, was 79.3 degrees F.

Caught a bunch of fish, as well!  Using a large jig spinner frame with one of my size 3 colorado blades on the frame, a 1/4 oz jig, and a 3" chartreuse twistertail grub.

[JBplusThuy]

"the pond where I work" - sure wish I had one of those, although there's a real question of whether I could get anything done if I did ;-)

[Ryan McCaw]

Well, I own a pond management business and see more of them preparing nests depending on the size and sun exposure of the water in Iowa and Illinois. Game on.