Bass fishing in Wisconsin

[Whopper Stopper]

Just wondering why Wisconsin allows you to fish bass before they spawn. Do they just figure that people won't disturb them and if they do catch them they will put them back? I have never kept a bass yet but I sure have seen others putting them on stringers.

[outdoor ran]

Its a catch and release season for bass till June 19th in Northern zone. Sure people are ripping them off their beds but at least there going back in. Most of the time I hope. Its weird, the lakes I fish for bass were alot better before they put that c-n-r season in. When you could keep them stating on the opener in May. You would think it would be better now, maybe its just the pressure. Has far as keeping bass, if the season is open and the regs say you can keep them its up to the person who catchs it. I don't keep bass but you can't say nothing to the guy that is, its his right.

[Yaeger Guide]

To add something to the mix, I believe that most MN bass will be spawning around the time of the MN opener. The next full moon should be June 2, the Wednesday after the MN opener. From everything I have heard, bass will predominantly spawn around the full moon when the water temps hit low 50s and higher. That being said, there should be some bass in post spawn and some yet in pre-spawn.

I did not see any spawners on the WI opener and the water temps were 49-51 where I was. I would love to see the MN DNR switch bass to year round, with catch and release into June (or later for all I care).

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

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bass normally dont spawn till the temp reaches 60 or more.. not 50...

As will all people.. some people will keep these spawning fish.. some won't... I think weather plays a much larger role in if its a good spawning year or not...

[Deitz Dittrich]

Yeager- Know that I wasn't try to prove you wrong.. Just stating an opinion of mine.. I also dont think many bass in MN or WI spawn in water cooler than 60.. I have seen buck bass that will search out and dig out a bed and such.. but I dont think you will get the famales to go before low to mid 60's... I could be way wrong on this... wish we had more marine bio's or fish bio.s that could straighten this out. Like I said. I have seen small buck bass make a nest. but never seen eggs or fry untill warmer.

[Yaeger Guide]

Good catch exudedude. He is right, with the spawning happening around the low 60s and higher. I do believe that we have bass spawning in cooler than 60 degree water, but these are the first spawners of the year, with the majority hitting the beds around 60+ and the full moon.

My typing is as good as my pre-season hook set.... Anyway, thanks Exudedude.

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