Spawning Bass

[ozark trout fisher]

All the ridiculously warm weather we had in late March has the bass spawning on a lot of the lakes and streams that I'm fishing. But now that it's really cooling down (the low here tonight is supposed to be in the upper 30s, similar for the next few nights) what effect do you think this will have on the spawn? I'm loving the cool temps, don't get me wrong, but I'm concerned with the possible impact of this sudden change in weather with the bass already on their beds.

Thoughts?

[405z06]

My guess is that if they are locked in, it won't matter. The high tomorrow is still going to be near 70 I think, so it's not like the highs in the 30s or 40s.

Again, I am just just guessing, but the crazy high water and fluctuations that we have had in the past few years would do more harm to the spawn than a mild cold front. Looking forward to seeing other opinions.

[Stoneroller]

i've seen fish in prespawn nest selection mode, but I have yet to see any bass either in the rivers i've fished, or the lakes i've been to, that look gravid enough to spawn on the full moon friday. The drop in water temp wont be a huge deal, it's unlikely to plummet far, although it will drop a bit. This is actually better for the fish as the slightly lower water temps will prolong the spawning. but only from the view point of them having jumped up so fast for so long. it's all relative when it comes to seasonal fish breeding. They can't drop eggs that aren't fully developed, so although the warmer than normal temps we've had in early spring have sped up their spawning behavior, it's a matter of body condition, individual fish size/health, and egg development as to when actual spawning will occur. (of course in synch with the nearest moon cycle)

bigger, healthier females tend to become gravid first, due to better body condition. They are usually the 'early' spawners. Keep in mind bass will spawn from now through at least early june and sometimes there are fall spawns too. Although it is science, it's not an exact science. Lots of random factors in place. But if we can maintain what we have, high 60's low 70's for highs and 50s for lows, along with normal spring flows, preferably without drastic flood events, the spawn will span a longer time this year than what we might be used to. Hopefully that will be good.

I would note that the rock bass that i've caught look ready to pop. typically they spawn after the smallmouth spawn. also duck creek ca reports wood duck's fledging the nest prior to hooded merganser hatches. Usually it's the other way around. So we may see things this year we would not consider normal. Be ready for anything I guess.