Where are the usual spring nesting fish

[Matt Bishop]

This is my first post here, I have been following this forum for 2 years and never had a reason to post before.   I fish a 3 acre private lake from the shore.  From May thru early July there are 4 spots where the gills nest and they are sure fun to catch.    The real fun is that as soon as you release them, they go right back to their nest!   I went out  in late April and there was no activity.   Lost out 4 weeks due to surgery, but went back yestrday.    No craters in the first three spots I fished and only small fish.  Finally at the last spot, there were about 5-8 craters that looked like they hadn't been used for a week or so, but I did catch a few 8-9 inch fish in that spot.    We have had tremendous rain here in So. Indiana and that usually raises the water level about 3 foot or so.    Is it possible these fish are put off spawning by the flooding?   Will they start again as soon as a full moon hits or are they done for the year?   Last year was the best I have ever done, I caught keeper fish 2-3 times a week until around July 4th.    This year looks to be nothing like that.

[Tom Beauchamp]

I have been catching gills several times a week here in Tn. near Nashville. All the females I've been catching still have their eggs so they have not bedded yet. Between the rain and the late spring and water temps. the spawn is late this year but should happen soon. Keep in mind that bluegill can spawn almost all summer, at least they do here. There is one spot on a hump here with a sandy gravel bottom that you can catch spawning gills well into July. Hope this helps, just keep watching.

[Matt Bishop]

Tom, sounds the same scenario as here. Last year I caught fish on the beds until around July 4th. That last time I caught two of the biggest Red ear of the year. Both were on a nest.

They ought to get going this next week. The wter is almost clear and down to regular summer levels.

[bluegillboogieman]

I don't know where many beds are. That is probably a good thing but I wish it were different. Last year, I did find two bedding areas in a 150 acre lake and returned exactly to that spot. It lasted only one time and there have been no fish there since. Including this year. I could still see the former beds, just abandoned looking. Now I was told gills usually bed in the same area time after time. I threw most back when I did find them so I know I didn't wipe them out. I have found gills in full color and peeing up a storm in the same lake but other areas. Those are two other things I have been told were sure signs of a bed nearby. Yet I could not see the moon crater beds like I could in the abandoned ones from a year ago. I suppose I could be spooking them, I am the Boogieman.