Whats The Difference Between The Spring And Fall Runs

[esox niger]

just wondering what the difference between the runs was. I know spring is spawning but whats the reason for the fall run. any difference in #s or locations

[Bill Butts]

Hello Esox~

A fall "run" of Striped, Hybrid Striped or White Bass is very ambiguous term.

Yes, they are all spring spawners whether it is successful spawning with Whites (highly prolific), or just going thru the motions as with Stripers (on a few fisheries in the US have successfully reproducing populations) and Hybrids.

Personally, when I've heard people talk about a "fall run" it is a confusing term referring to the surface feeding in the fall on lakes.

I've never known great numbers of any of these fish to "run" up a river in the fall, unless it is part of their usual feeding activity.

Examples of this I am aware of in this region exist mostly in some of the tributaries of the AR River in OK but that is not a fall-only pattern. They go where the bait (mostly shad) goes.

Hope this is helpful.

Bill