Bluegill Fly Rodders

Comment

Comment by B. Waldman on March 5, 2015 at 10:19am

I'd agree with David and say 'yes'. My reasoning would be that the eggs (oocytes) of most fish actually start developing in late fall and winter (declining water temps/photoperiod?). Hormone levels also start changing, but I think this post winter feeding spree you mention is at least somewhat tied to the fact that the fish has to keep energy reserves up and keep the eggs maturing. The largest, most fittest (healthiest) fish are usually the ones in the best position to dominate the spawn. When viewed in that context, it's not much of a stretch to consider this period part of the "pre-spawn," though maybe not quite in the way some people traditionally define it.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 5, 2015 at 9:54am

"is "pre-spawn activity" really part of the spawning cycle? IOW, maybe there is a post winter feed that usually immediately precedes spawning but water temps may push them farther apart."

Yes.

Comment by Andy is OptiMystic on March 5, 2015 at 9:45am

Here is an interesting question - is "pre-spawn activity" really part of the spawning cycle? IOW, maybe there is a post winter feed that usually immediately precedes spawning but water temps may push them farther apart. I mentioned earlier that the largest creels in a local lake typically some in the next couple of weeks. I don't think that is because the fish are at their largest yet; I think it is because they are feeding actively and nearly all of them are involved, so the average fisherman catches more and in the the tourneys they are culling so the average creel goes up and the likelihood of a creel well above average also goes up.

Comment by Andy is OptiMystic on March 5, 2015 at 9:35am

I am interested in other theories also. Leo's first comments gave me the impression that there was a new theory that mos biologists are on board with. Probably my bad (usually is)...

Tony - in the fall, it is decreasing photo periods that pass the mark. I think that is very different. But it leads to a hypothesis on my part. I would guess that if the temperature doesn't get warm enough, the beginning of the decline after the peak photo period would likely trigger the spawn if the physical limits of having started the cycle haven't already forced their fins.

Comment by B. Waldman on March 5, 2015 at 9:33am

Yes - water temp trend is a big key from everything I've read. While a certain temp is a good guideline for starting, it is the stable and increasing water temps that seem to really generate the impetus to spawn. This has been documented in several studies. Declination of photoperiod and water temps serve their own purposes, but appear to be non-starters as to actual spawning. Outside of a Florida report or two for crappie and bass (subtropical again), it seems pretty rare to actually find " fall spawning" in most of our freshwater fishes throughout the country, trouts excepted.

Comment by Tony Livingston on March 5, 2015 at 9:30am

I also am interested in what Leo presents. His in-depth knowledge and understanding of the intricacies involved in spawning behaviors will be instrumental in helping a layperson such as myself, try and comprehend the interaction between the various factors in play.

Comment by B. Waldman on March 5, 2015 at 9:22am

Good comments and discussion, all. Like most of you, I still finger photoperiod and water temperature manipulation as the key triggers to spawning. The literature is replete with studies of off-season spawning and rearing of fish for a variety of reasons, and in nearly all cases, controlling photoperiod and temperature regimes are largely the key to accomplishing this. Outside that, the use of hormone injections (human chorionic gonadotropin - "hCG") is the only other factor frequently mentioned. That said, in keeping with being good "scientists" or researchers, we must always be open and willing to look at and discuss alternative or competing theories and weigh their merits, hence my interest in what Leo is presenting.

Comment by Tony Livingston on March 5, 2015 at 9:19am

I'm not so sure. If the correct water temps were not important, I would expect to see year round spawning in my ponds, even when the water dropped into the forties. But it doesn't happen.

If there is both a spring as well as a fall equinox, then it would seem to reason that there would also be two different time periods wherein the photoperiod approached optimum for spawning....but I don't see that happening. I think the difference is the declining water temps during the fall.

Comment by Andy is OptiMystic on March 5, 2015 at 9:03am

we are (hopefully) pretty much assured of the sunrise and sunset times and therefore the photo period. The temperature is the independent variable in this equation. the tropics where neither changes much is interesting though. I think that is where the climate may play in more. Rainy seasons and what not.

but in cool years don't they start spawning at some point even if the temp doesn't make it to the optimal range?

Comment by Tony Livingston on March 5, 2015 at 8:47am

The thing to take away from this conversation is that BOTH photoperiod and temps influence spawning behaviors....one without the other will not work.

here:  http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2...

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• …
• 74
• Next ›
• Page