Smallmouth Spawn

[CarlWBL]

Quick question for you river rats...

In a river situation like our infamous Mississippi here in MN, where would you look for the smallmouth to spawn? Hard or soft bottom?

Thanks!

[EBass]

Hard bottom

[mainbutter]

Definitely hard bottom.

I'm probably missing out, but the rare times I do get to hit smallmouth water, I almost exclusively fish hard bottom regardless of season.

[CarlWBL]

Also, how does the current affect spawning areas? Are smallies looking for current breaks to spawn around? I guess I would picture rocky, shallow flats outside of the main river flow..

[smallie_hawgin]

Also, how does the current affect spawning areas? Are smallies looking for current breaks to spawn around? I guess I would picture rocky, shallow flats outside of the main river flow..

Carl... Check out the telemetry project done on the river up our way...

DNR Montrose SMB Telemetry

Lot's of insights I learned about through the fish.... Yes, flows directly affect the spawning behaviors BTW. And it also affects YOY survival. Flows and duration of high or low have some of the largest impact on year class production (Or lack there of)...

[EBass]

You should talk to Smallie Hawgin. He's the DNR fisheries guy near Little Falls. He has a wealth of information and knows Ron and Laura Schara. He may chime in here when/if he sees this. Heck, he is the one that did the telemetry study on the Smallies in da Sippi.

I have heard that Largies need sunlight to hatch the eggs. Dunno about Smallies though.

D'oh - Hi SH!

[smallie_hawgin]

A good example of a spawning area in the Mississippi River. Note the male smallie looking this direction in photo...