Spring Pan Fish

[Bruce Tomaselli]

When do pan fish begin congregating in the shallows to spawn, early April? I haven't fished them in the Spring for years and I would like a ball park figure.

Thanks

PS. Is there a way to follow a topic on this forum such as e-mail notification?

[Smoltz]

Mid May for us they usually are But I live in the north east

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Bruce...I am in the Mason Dixon area and on most years gills are on bed by late May. Where you are in PA I would surmise that they would bed somewhere from June 1 to June 12, depending on water temps and moon phases and the seasonal progression of spring. It could be sooner or later, depending on other factors like water clarity, and cooler, spring fed water temperatures or even competition with other species...bass, pumpkinseeds, crappies,...for prime spawning substrate. Crappies and bass are usually done by this time, however, but there could be some overlap.

The gills need consistent water in the 70-72 degree range that often is reached regardless of the moon phase, with a full moon period being a 'peak' progression of the spawn, with heightened activity. Every body of water is different, and in some waters its a 'one and done' issue with spawning gills, with the initial 70-degree water condition trumping the lunar phase.

In my region I have seen them spawn as early as April 24 th and have seen fish on beds as late as September 8. Traditionally, a percentage of bluegills in most waters will spawn in and around the full-moon phase every month after the initial spawn. I have one local lake where I saw spawning heighten during full moons in May, June, July and to a lesser degree in August, during 2015.

Hope this helps...

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Thanks. My early April projection is too early. As, I remember now,  I was fishing for Crappie and Gills on Mother's Day last year in early May and the fish were still in the shallows and on beds. I will begin my pursuit sometime in April when the water temps near 70. But, I really don't think the lakes will be near 70 that early in the year.