Smallmouths and summer eggs

[loon_days]

I recently caught a smallmouth bass on a central Minnesota river. When I opened her up, she still had eggs. Last year I caught one later in the year and she still had eggs too. What is the deal? I thought by now they would have allready laid their eggs. Do they just wait this long or do they lay eggs twice or what??

[Jim W]

Really depends on timing, including weather, temps, flow involving flooding or lack of water.
These will directly effect spwan of river or small stream bass!

I noticed several "active" beds in a SE MN stream a couple days ago!

A little late for me, but if they can do it, Great eh?

Keep in mind for especially smallmouth in medium to small rivers and streams, it takes quite a long time for them to reach good size.

Please use good judgement if a need arises to harvest these fish!

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[Yaeger Guide]

Jim's take is correct. Smallmouth spawn on a river will greatly vary depending on all weather and water level aspects. I haven't noticed any spawners on the Croix, but of course I cannot see past 18 inches or so on the Croix....

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God bless,
Judd Yaeger
Yaeger Guides
(Twin Cities Guides)
www.yaegerweb.com/guide

[andy j]

Females should go back, no reason to keep anything over 14 inches. SELECTIVE HARVEST
AJ