Seasonal habits of the largemouth bass bass fishing resource. Largemouth bass prey upon bluegills and redear sunfish in stocked ponds and upon shad, minnows, smaller sunfishes, crayfishes, and amphibians in natural habitats. Many bass anglers agree that smallmouth represent our sports greatest challenge their propensity for deep water and offshore structure makes these fighters notoriously hard to find and catch. Here is a list of the top five lakes in the state of tennessee that any serious bass fisherman needs to take a trip to this coming season. Fish farm fingerling hatchery certified disease free. A new spawning map is posted every two weeks to let you know what the bass in your area are doing. If you are not sure what stage of the spawn the largemouth bass is in, you need to eliminate water while you determine where the fish are at. They will start to move up from deep water when the water temperature starts climbing above the 45 degree mark.
Downstream around chattanooga, chickamauga continues to produce some of the best largemouth. The spawning period provides one of the years best opportunities to catch big bass in florida, particularly for anglers who enjoy sightfishing for bass in shallow water. The prespawn period is when bass leave their winter haunts and start heading. The largemouth bass record in tennessee stood for 60 years, but state wildlife officials werent surprised when it was broken last week. Largemouth bass are the most sought after game fish in oklahoma. The spawn is on bass fishing the spawn in east tennessee.
They are usually green with dark blotches that form a horizontal stripe along the middle of the fish on either side. Female largemouth bass are usually larger than male largemouth bass of the same age. Jan 19, 2017 what makes largemouth bass fishing so challenging is the fact that these fish are constantly on the move. Seasonal habits of the largemouth bass the ultimate bass. Black bass, green trout, bigmouth bass, lineside bass. Bass largemouth fishing in tennessee, tn fishingbooker. Tennessee state sport fish largemouth bass obsolete see smallmouth bass micropterus salmoides adopted on july 1, 1988. Common names kentucky bass, kentucky spotted bass, northern spotted bass, alabama spotted bass, wichita spotted bass, black bass, smallmouth bass and spot. Normally harvesting largemouth bass especially large females during the spawning season does not harm the lakes since a large number of females may be spawning at the same time. Their upper jaw extends far beyond the rear margin of the eye.
Keep in mind that the water temperature that sends the bass to the beds is the temperature where the prespawn bass hang out, not the temperature in a shallow, darkbottom. No bass in possession can measure between 11 and 15 inches long. Presenting larger baits better mimics the available forage size. If youre wondering how to figure out the best fishing times for catching bass or which periods of the year are best, particularly if you want to know how to catch larger bass, you should first learn about bass spawning behavior.
Hunting and fishing license 20192020 available for purchase. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishing can be broken down into three stages. Striped bass reproduction facts bass fishing gurus. The incubation period is three or four days at 70f. March and april for big, prespawn bass and spawning bass. Lets fish tv reel foot, tennessee largemouth bass fishing. Only one bass in possession may be 15 inches or longer. Its during the spawning season, when smallies move shallower, that we bassmasters have a shot at the biggest bronzebacks of the year. Our fish are certified disease free, including vhs. It was adopted as the state sport fish on july 1, 1988. Knowing when largemouth bass spawn is essential for success, but it can be a bit of a guessing game. Mar 05, 20 to my knowledge there have been many largemouth bass weighing in excess of and 14 pounds, caught out of lake wedowee. The largemouth bass spawn during the spring months of march to june when the water temperature is around sixty five to seventy five degrees farenheight. A highly predatory fish, they will strike an assortment of artificial lures as well as natural bait.
As an example, largemouth bass prefer water temperatures between 6075 degrees for spawning, while bluegill spawn when water temperatures are in the 7585degree range. Largemouth bass, fishing facts, bass habitat, bass spawn. We offer high quality walleye, yellow perch, black crappies, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, hybrid bluegills, bluegills. The type of water you are fishing, lake, river, pond, reservoir or stream. They will start to move up from deep water when the water temperature starts. Once you understand the best time to fish for bass based on the season and time of day, you will catch more fish. Largemouth bass are usually green with dark blotches that form a horizontal stripe along the middle of the fish on either side. In this, the first documentary in a series on largemouth bass behavior, see the spawn like youve never seen it before. Tester investigated the spawning habits of the smallmouth bass in georgian bay and lake nipissing and found that, at a temperature varying from 54f. Normally the male largemouth bass will find the nest for the spawning season, this nest will be made from sand and gravel, circular in shape and quite shallow, it will also normally be around. This virus usually only causes death in largemouth bass. Because they help control smaller sunfish populations, the overharvest of bass removing too many, especially on small lakes and ponds, should be avoided. Popular with anglers looking for bass largemouth fishing charters in tennessee go on this adventure on a 20 bass cat bass boat, which can accommodate 2 guests. You may not possess more than five bass largemouth and smallmouth bass combined per day while fishing in these areas.
At dunns fish farm the largemouth bass is our signature fish. Smallmouth can still be caught during the summer months on the lakes, but i dont recommend targeting them. While douglas is more of a numbers lake, with scads of 16 and 17inch largemouth bass, carter said anglers catch 6 and 7pound bass pretty regularly. During the spawning season, the largemouth bass will stay within the dropoffs to harvest their beds. Early spring is one of the easiest times to catch largemouth bass.
When stocked properly with an adequate supply of hybrid bluegill and fathead minnows, these fish may grow as much as 1 to 1 12 pounds per season. It is unknown why this virus kills largemouth bass and not other fish. How to fish the smallmouth bass spawn bass fishing tips. Largemouth spawning facts spawning manipulation the. Spawning season for the largemouth bass the best bass. This project chronicles the progression of the 2015 bass spawning season from south to north. As spring advances, bass start preparing for the spawning season. Bass, largemouth oklahoma department of wildlife conservation. In florida where growing season is yearround, largemouth bass usually run about fifteen or sixteen pounds but even these are mighty rare.
Largemouth bass grow 4 to 6 inches 10 to 15 cm during their first year, 8 to 12 inches 20 to 30 cm in two years, 16 inches 40 cm in three years. Catching largemouth bass in the spawning season archives. Largemouth bass spawn in the spring and it is the absolute best time of year to fish for them. Spawning occurs from april to late may, when water temperatures reach 63. Several bass weighing over 14 pounds, including three over 16 pounds very close to a a new state record largemouth bass and one very big, largemouth bass found deceased, floating in the lake many years back. Mar 08, 2012 many bass anglers agree that smallmouth represent our sports greatest challenge their propensity for deep water and offshore structure makes these fighters notoriously hard to find and catch. There isnt very much information out there that talks about how to fish the smallmouth bass spawn so i headed to dale hollow lake in tennessee to put together a bass fishing video about it. Tennessees official sport fish is the largemouth bass, micropterus salmoides, as designated by public chapter 489 of the acts of the 95th general assembly. Here in tennessee, where i and my bass bum buddies primarily fish, a largemouth northern strain can reach 10 in two growing seasons, 17 in three and 18 in four.
Dec 10, 2019 prime conditions in most bass watersheds combine 50 degree average water temperature with rocks clean of silt or mud. This nonnative fish was introduced to the lake some time back and while. Keep in mind that not all areas of a large lake will reach the desired spawning temperature range in a uniform manner. In spring, bass are not picky eaters and devour anything available. As with most species of fish, reproduction is influenced by environmental variables such as photoperiod and water temperature. The spawning season begins in early spring once ice is thawed. With the florida strain largemouth ever present in the lake, have your equipment ready to tussle with a truly big fish. Tennessee offers worldclass largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fishing. The process is dependent on the water temperature being. Largemouth bass can reach weights greater than 10 to. Bass preparing for spawn mike organ, usa today network tennessee published 11.
Feb 18, 2015 the largemouth bass record in tennessee stood for 60 years, but state wildlife officials werent surprised when it was broken last week. What makes largemouth bass fishing so challenging is the fact that these fish are constantly on the move. Aug 07, 2012 hatchery managers who make a living spawning bass report bass spawning on all moon phases. May 07, 2017 in this, the first documentary in a series on largemouth bass behavior, see the spawn like youve never seen it before. During post spawn most bass move to dropoffs in the main lake and mouths of the bays. Hatchery managers who make a living spawning bass report bass spawning on all moon phases.
Spawning season varies from location to location with the season lasting from late april in north carolina to july in the st. Lmbv does not only infect largemouth bass, it also has been found in guppies, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, suwanee bass, bluegill, redbreasted sunfish, white crappie and black crappie. Bass fishing isnt hard because this species will readily take either live baits or lures, but it certainly helps to know a bit about largemouth bass behavior. We are a family owned and operated fish farm that specializes in.
A new study titled outof season spawning method for florida largemouth bass to produce advancedsized fingerlings by early spring by michael d. Description is similar in appearance to the largemouth bass. There are 4 main criteria that i use to figure this puzzle out. Up close and personal, from above and below the waters surface. Throughout the spawning sequence bass are aggressive and shallowa perfect combination for a lot of bites and for the fish of a lifetime. The worlds record largemouth bass is 2214 pounds taken by george w. Even without special regulations to protect them, largemouth bass in this french broad reservoir consistently thrive in nutrientrich environs. Early spring marks the transition of big bass beginning to move shallower in tennessee lakes.
Unlike bass that clean their spawning ground with their tails, crawfish rely on current or wave action to do their housework. Hunting and fishing license 20192020 available for purchase get yours online today. Lake chickamauga is already one of the most popular lakes in the country. Most largemouth bass begin spawning as early as year 2 when they weigh as little as 1lb 454 grams. Tennessee wildlife federations hunting and fishing academy fishing event eva tn. Crispin powley guest hosts this episode from the big bass capital of middle america. Bass feed heavily prior to the spawning ritual because they know that during the 10 to 14 days of spawning they will not feed at all. The underside ranges in color from light green to almost white. Seasonal habits of the largemouth bass learn how the seasons affect the largemouth bass in order to catch them on a consistent basis. Largemouth bass have a highly attuned sense of smell, and can zero in on prey by following scent trails. Peak spawning occurs when water temperature is 64 to 68 degrees fahrenheit. For you guys up north, that would more likely be 4, 6 and 8 for the same time period. Downstream around chattanooga, chickamauga continues to produce some of the.
Spring largemouth bass fishing trips you dont want to miss. Reel foot lake, near memphis, tennessee is one of americas classic destinations for largemouth bass. Mar 21, 2018 as an example, largemouth bass prefer water temperatures between 6075 degrees for spawning, while bluegill spawn when water temperatures are in the 7585degree range. The first stage is called the pre spawn stage, when bass move toward shallow flats from their deeper wintering areas. The process is dependent on the water temperature being a consistent 60f15. The rocks must be clean to open up caves that can create endless lattices of spawning habitat. Reelfoot lake has many monster largemouth bass in it, since the baitfish population is high the largemouth bass feed endlessly on them and grow in size year after year. May 01, 2017 there isnt very much information out there that talks about how to fish the smallmouth bass spawn so i headed to dale hollow lake in tennessee to put together a bass fishing video about it. March and april for big, prespawn bass and spawning bass on. The following article will discuss spawning period, reproductive strategies, and management options to increase reproductive activity in largemouth bass, a popular species in texas. This relatively shallow, rocky lake has strong largemouth and. Photo by ron sinfelt tennessee is the epicenter of the bass fishing world right now, with the bassmaster classic coming to knoxville in march, and according to state biologists it is staged to deliver.
Tennessee s official sport fish is the largemouth bass, micropterus salmoides, as designated by public chapter 489 of the acts of the 95th general assembly. Considered by many to be one of the most enjoyable fish to angle, largemouth bass are the most sought after fish on the market today. Largemouth bass will often breach the surface of the water and become airborne when hooked in an effort to break free. Spring largemouth bass fishing trips you dont want to. Some lakes in the northern united states have produced bass of 14 pounds plus, but. Post spawn bass fishing can signal the beginning of the dog days, where finding bites is a tougher task than the previous two phases of the bass spawn. They spawn in the same areas around gravel and wood. Bass spawning season is very predictable, because bass do the same thing every year in three basic stages. How to fish the smallmouth bass spawn bass fishing tips and.
May 16, 2011 florida largemouth bass fishing lets be honest. With the exception of spawning season, rarely do we find trophy bass hiding under lily pads in two feet of water. Largemouth bass generally spawn during late winter in the southern regions of the u. Fishing in tennessee tennessee state government tn. To my knowledge there have been many largemouth bass weighing in excess of and 14 pounds, caught out of lake wedowee.
204 873 1512 1445 1170 184 1546 1649 405 1644 1202 1613 1579 1359 420 134 1188 155 511 542 1015 6 852 31 451 540 764 549