Spawn Times

[Craigums]

Im curious at what temps bass are generally in Pre-spawn, Spawn, and Post-Spawn conditions. I know that not all bass spawn at differant times in differant lakes but are there any general rules you guys use? The reason I ask is I will be fishing next weekend in WI and really don't have a clue what type of mood these fish will be in, Have most already spawned?

[Deitz Dittrich]

low to mid 50s is typical pre-spawn. bucks will be up shallow worming around for an area.. right around 60 ish the females move in.. I highly doubt bass have spawned yet .. Unless maybe the extreme southern part of the state.

added this as I had more time to type it..

If at all possible i think the fish try to spawn close to a full moon.. and the actual spawn its self happens between 62-68 usually.

[Deitz Dittrich]

just checked... Full moon is on May 8th.. I would bet some smaller lakes in southern MN may be in the 62 degree water temp and it could happen then.. But probably not for much of the state.. new moon on the 24th of may?.. Really hard to predict when they will. It will depend on the weather quite a bit.

[Cecil]

I think for a lot of the midwest, it is a few weeks away.

[Craigums]

Ok so it sound like ill be fishing prespawn conditions. Would you target spawning areas yet or would you look for deep water nearest a spawning flat?

[Cecil]

Deep water near. Warmer weather start looking shallower.

[Wayne Ek]

I think that you will find alot of bass in shallow if the sun comes out this weekend. I would look for them in the same areas that you would target ice-out panfish in. They will move in shallow right along with the ice-out crappies, everything is moving shallow now to feed... then the spawning cycle will start.

[Craigums]

Ok guys, Deitz thanks for the info on the temps and moon phase info, that is really helpful. Ive got a map printed out and started marking some spots to try. Agape I got two spots marked that look like you describe. And Cecil I found some deep water off a point that leads up to a flat. I'll try both and let the fish decide what to look for.

Im trying to decide what baits to pack now. Flukes, Senkos, Swim Jigs, Rattle Traps, Spinnerbaits should have me pretty much covered depending on water clarity...

You guys all fishing this weekend too?

[Deitz Dittrich]

CP- the weather doesnt look all that great, but you can bet I will be somewhere over there trying.. LOL

[Cecil]

Workin on it...

[st.crioxfishin]

I would agree that most of the fish are still prespawn. I was down in the southern to mid part of indiana this past weekend and fish were still prespawn there. However, with the really warm weather they were having down there, the fish were starting to move up yesterday aftenoon. water temps were at a wide range from 50 at the dam all the way to 65 in the upper portions of the lake...

[TonkaBass]

I agree with the temps stated, but alot of the times it seems like there is more than one wave of spawners that comes up. Thats why it is always a good idea to check multiple depth zones when fishing this time of the year. (I still wouldn't go any deeper than 12' at the most, but thats just me)

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Definatley prespawn.

As for baits if it were me and without knowing the lake Id have these baits ready to go in the AM suspending jerkbaits, soft jerkbaits, 4" senko, rattle trap and jig/pig.

[Craigums]

Took a walk around a local lake with my mom for mother's day and I seen 4 beds all with fish on them. They are definately spawning now.

[Scott M]

Saw some shallow males building nests last week...We had 64 degrees on a couple lakes in south central Minnesota (before the air temps cooled over the weekend), so it wouldn't be crazy to think they will get started this week.

[gspman]

Surface water temp was 58-59 degrees yesterday afternoon on a lake near Faribault. The bass are cruising the shallows.

[luckycrank]

I would say prespawn for the most part, seen a few males on beds but also caught a few big gals that where all beat up and

spawned out while crappie fishing

[Deitz Dittrich]

I fished Northern WI.. Burnette Co.. and there still is not bed 1 yet.. water temps 56-59 depending on where on the lake..

[bassNspear]

so there not spawning yet! Water temps just arnt high enough?

How was fishing?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Fishing was good.. I ended up with 30 bass for the day. Biggest 3 fish were 2 right at 18" and had a 17" as well.. at least where I was it wasnt warm enough yet.

[Cecil]

I had water temp of 63 and the fish were in pre-spawn areas on Saturday.

[riverrat63]

up by rice lake on sat smallmouth were on beds big females, water was 58-59

[Cecil]

riverrat, I was in your backyard...

[RK]

Man, we still have cold water up in my neck of the woods. I had 48 and 49 all weekend, even in some back bays. Doesn't warm up much when it's still getting down into the 30s at night... Be a long time before we see any spawning up there. Bigger bass are still deep, at least judging by the ones I caught pitching jigs in 8-12 feet trying to catch water donkeys this weekend... Might be a great pre-spawn bite for opener though.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[riverrat63]

yea got out at 730 and the water was 53 54 and thay were on beds i was shocket it was windy and cold but thay were on there. cecil wear were u fishing