Pulling females off their beds

[Granny]

Yes I am talking about bass . I do a lot of LM Bass fishing near Duluth and the water temps are pretty cool yet. A few of the bass we caugth this last weekend were big females that were still full of eggs. How much does cathing them at this time affect their ability to spawn? What temp do bass usually spawn?

Thanks,

Granny

[This message has been edited by Granny (edited 06-03-2004).]

[Dan Wood]

oh your talking about bass ... mid 60's for the spawn... this year will be quick since they were pushed off with all the rain/cold... they are ready to go...

I don't personally feel that it does too much as long as you get them back in the water quick. Most states don't even close the season...

[BigMike]

I usually associate the spawn starting when the water temps start to hit 60 degrees. Many of the bigger bass move in earlier than the smaller ones so I start to target spawning areas in the upper 50's to low 60's.

I agree with Dan, it's my personal opinion that it doesn't hurt the population just as long as we practice catch & release. I am also under the persuasion that having C&R starting when walleye opener starts won't hurt a population either.

[Chris Haley]

I also agree it doesn't hurt as long as they are returned to their beds!!!!! Last year the Everstart Series went to vermillion. 90% of those bass were taken off their beds!! Think of the hole in year classes because of it!!!! How can a bass deal with the stress of spending a day in a live well and then travel miles back to it's spawning area and spawn. I'm sure it didn't happen.

[EBass]

I agree with the rest of you. (log one more post BigMike)

[ricqik]

I'm surprised they haven't spawned yet up there. Here, well atleast the lake I fished on opener day, the fries are already 1/3" long. The only bass I still see guarding nest were smaller 12"ers. The larger males are swimming around guarding the fries.

[Dan Wood]

It is a mix this year around the metro. Some spawned already, but most were pushed off their nests from the cold front that came through and dropped water temps back down to the high 50's. It won't take them long now that the weather is nice and water temps are back up pushing mid 60's. I expect after this weeks warm weather those that didn't finish will spawn out quick.

[Granny]

The water temp was at 54-55 last weekend. All the rain really brought up the small lakes about a foot or two! Tough fishing last night with only 1 Bass, 3 Pike and one really nice Rock Bass. The bass was another 17" fat female full of spawn.

Later,

Granny