At What Depth Will Flatheads Spawn?

[Dirk W]

What are your thoughts on the minimum and maximum depth a flathead will spawn at given the correct habitat? I'm sure there are many factors that come in to play that I don't fully understand. For example, here on the muddy Mississippi would a flathead spawn in 20 feet given the right aount of cover, flow, etc? 30 ft? I guess I really don't know.

[Fisher Dave]

They spawn in cut banks, tree roots, etc along the shoreline in 72-75 degree water temps.. realisticly this would average to less than 10 feet of water.Once the eggs are dropped the male stays to guard the nest.. before long he will drive out the female.. violently if needed.

Do a search on a search engine and there is some biology info out there that is not too hard to find. I will post some next time I have the chance if someone doesnt beat me to it.

[Dennis Steele]

That is a good question and one I have often wondered about myself.

I think a lot of it has to depend on a rivers water level stability.

The MN is one of the most unstable waters I can think of. I beleive the fish spawn fairly deep, possibly up to 30 feet deep. There are a couple spots that the fish are active deep just before and after the spawn that leads me to believe that.

Its all just guesses though....

"Noodling" is done around the spawn and they seem to get these fish in less than 6 feet of water. So one can assume that some fish may spawn fairly shallow in some systems.

[katchaser]

I have some spawning information posted at

Flathead tips

Katchaser

also has general information regarding flathead behavior and tips to increase your catch.

Theae ma help you react to flathead throughout the various stages of the spawn.