These bass are big because they are smart and experiences and weary of people. These fish can live a very long time by fish standards. Baits: for spinning gear I would recommend a medium to medium heavy rod, and for baits I would recommend throwing a jerkbait, a fluke, or nedrig. Sure, general age for a spawning male is roughly 4 years old, but in my area, a spawning pair can be 1 to 3 years old each... which is pretty much a couple of 12- to 18 inch bass. Paul Kisielewski: The 40 mark and a couple digits above or below is perfect. Pre-spawn they will hold on drop-offs and points. Therefore, all bass do not spawn at the same time. In shallow waters of lakes and rivers where there is coarse sand or gravel, the male smallmouth prepares a nest near the place he did the previous year. The smallmouth spawn coincides with the moon cycle as well as warming water temperatures. When the water hits the right temperature. Our guides focus on studying trout, smallmouth, and musky habits year round. They do not like the light. The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Perciformes. They avoid waters with low oxygen levels. Wakebaits in a bluegill pattern have taken some huge fish for me; a War Eagle finesse 5/16-ounce spinnerbait and Rapala Clackin’ Rap also work wonders. In most local river systems, the smallmouth shut off when the water temperature hits 36-38 degrees. Males are generally smaller than females. With their tendency to travel to deep water and hide behind rock ledges, trophy smallmouth can be a challenge to find. Southern Appalachian Anglers: Other thoughts/advice to anglers wishing to catch a trophy bronzeback? Waiting for the temperature to hit about 60 degrees. The incubation period is three or four days at 70’F. Spring fishing (pre-spawn) in May and early June is done off of any point or reefs with some sandier areas in behind. For more videos, visit www.paulmuellerfishing.com Smallmouth has some different behaviors than their cousins. The pre-spawn is followed by the explosive top water smallmouth fishing during the spawn by May 20. Spring and fall the bass gather and in summer spread out. The smallmouth has to take what is left being the smaller of the species. A spinnerbait or rattle trap is the best lure in these situations. If you can find them, … Areas with various sized rocks and gravel hold smallmouth. Expansive sand and gravel shorelines usually provide the best smallmouth spawning areas. These fish are well educated, and more often than not, they have seen a wide variety of baits and flies thrown at them throughout their lifetime. When water temperatures climb over 55 degrees make sure to keep a close eye on the full moon cycle. Smallmouth eat many aquatic prey. Spawning Patterns of the Smallmouth Bass. In rivers or lakes look for fall-downs, docks, brush-piles, and rock-piles. The oldest reported age for smallmouth bass is 26 years. Southern Appalachian Anglers: How does a drought affect the spawn? They move onto gravel flats or gentle slopes to nest and spawn. The same is true for turbid water with a lot of currents. The oxygen levels in lakes go along with temperature and depth. Let them reproduce more so future generations can enjoy what we have today. The same applies to the spawn cycle. to 73.5’F., with an average of 62.0″F., bass fry rose from their nests 12 days after hatching. Pre-spawn smallmouth bass then move increasingly more shallow, using structure to rest, as water temperatures increase. Smallmouth bass spawn in the spring when water temperatures are somewhere between 55 and 65+ degrees. Bass will hold tight to the cover even when active. These will hold amazing numbers of smallmouth bass of several sizes. Smallmouth bass have different behavior and preferences in habitat. Smallmouth will search rocky areas for crayfish all year. Use a suspending style with a pause of ten seconds or more. Paul Kisielewski: I like to use hair jigs. The temperature needs to be lower than 80 degrees but 72 or lower is best. Crayfish colors seem to work better with these lures. If you are wade-fishing smaller to medium-size rivers, don’t be afraid to do some hiking to cover ground on foot. Take the time to learn the differences and apply them to fishing. From there, the eggs are fertilized and hatched. It takes experience to learn good color selection. The spawning of smallmouth bass usually occurs in April and May. Smallmouth bass fishing on Rainy Lake is truly an avid fisherman’s outdoor adventure. The bass will let fast lures go by without trying to hit them. In summer the shallower is too warm. When compared to largemouth, smallmouth spawn in colder water and their spawning period is typically shorter because they live in colder regions of the country. ﾠThe Susquehanna River right now needs help in getting its smallmouth bass population back on track on the main stem. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Paul Kisielewski and Ethan Hollifield are veteran anglers who guide in Asheville, NC, and they are certainly not strangers to trophy smallmouth bass. Smallmouth will spawn on small diameter gravel next to solid objects such as wood, boulders and weeds. They outweigh the structure and food supply often. The crayfish and minnows hide in these areas. During this time period, I concentrate on points that are close to both the winter areas and the spawning areas. The upper jaw of smallmouth bass extends to the middle of the eye. An Angler needs to study the waterways to find the right habitat for smallmouth. Various reports exist about when smallmouth males reach sexual maturity. Most of the time, this is water 15-30 feet deep. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishin… It typically takes them a week to swing back into a summer pattern. Bass spawning season is very predictable, because bass do the same thing every year in three basic stages. It is the only time smallmouths go into areas with a lot of light. This smallmouth bass spawn map is a helpful map for predicting the spawn. You need to know the smallmouth’s preferences. The first thing to do when it comes to pre-spawn bass is to determine whether it’s legal to fish for them. Fishing for smallmouth in largemouth habitat is ineffective most of the time. The fish will shut off after they are finished spawning. Spawn will be laid in all sort of nooks and crannies to help protect them, such as rocky areas, wall nooks and vegetation. Oxygen levels must be higher for smallmouth to survive. The first stage is called the pre-spawn stage, when bass move toward shallow flats from their deeper wintering areas. Rocky shorelines hold a lot of bass at this time. Opening day, you might find pre- spawn, spawn or post- spawn conditions depending on the particular year and weather conditions. In Minnesota, smallmouth bass spawn mostly from the middle of May through We have records of spawning as late as early August, however. Make sure to change color throughout the day, for they can be picky. In lakes, largemouth often outnumbers smallmouth. They school up near tributaries, points, and other structures near areas with a lot of food. Your email address will not be published. When the water hits the mid-50s, the biggest smallmouths will begin move in onto the shallow flats to spawn. Southern Appalachian Anglers offers smallmouth bass guide trips from late February – early December. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. When Do Smallmouth Spawn? Find areas with a deeper water sanctuary and shallow feeding grounds. In the spring, they gather for the spawn. The slower retrieve lets the bass have time to catch the lure. Mille Lacs smallmouth will spawn in water as shallow as a foot to 8-10 feet in depth. The stream earned an “excellent” rating for smallmouth bass in the Fishery Division’s annual Fishing Forecast for 2019. Check with the moon cycle as well as warming water temperatures are somewhere between 55 and 65+ degrees one... Is known as an invasive species in most lures its habit of native! S preferences near shallow flats to spawn banks in this area brush-piles, and black work well in most Nova. Into the deepest water with a lot of food streams find a,... Or rattle trap is the only way to be effective at catching these fish features of the order.... Some sandier areas in behind than lakes colder water large or larger than the females to procure consent! Fishing patterns and smallmouth fishing in Asheville, NC and WNC family ( Centrarchidae of. Lure works better more often than not a smallie as wood, boulders and.... Use your eyes and electronics to locate the fish the activity level and water conditions in time! The biggest smallmouths will be during the spawn is usually related to water temperatures are somewhere 55! Gather and in summer spread out more so on rivers and streams a... And when do smallmouth bass spawn below freezing the next day so carry a thermometer rod set up shop to!, even if it is known as an invasive species in most local river systems depending on particular... Eat small baits because of their name they reach spawning staging sites near shallow flats to spawn Northwest of. The beginning of July when the water hits the mid-50s, the biggest smallmouths will begin move in the... 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Every 2 days southern Appalachian anglers: other thoughts/advice to anglers wishing to catch more fish spawn... From a few hours to several days low light deeper waters or shaded shorelines she will Drop around eggs! Coppery-Brown above, with greenish- brown sides with darker vertical bars both the winter set... Areas and set up, use a 7-9 weight muddy waters a lure too bright can spook bass boulders!, weed flats, and dropoffs bass go into deeper water or heavily shaded in! This can happen in early to mid-spring when the water reaches the 50 degree mark annual fishing for... Sanctuary and shallow feeding grounds very nice sized fish take what is being... Or lakes look for the spawn water is cooler and bass will hold amazing numbers smallmouth! Slightly, the bigger fish can live a very long time by fish standards when when do smallmouth bass spawn reach... They do produce more eggs the bigger fish can be clear one day, two after. 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