I think that both Smallmouth and Largemouth spawn when water temperatures is in the low 60s. Bluegill, on the other hand, spawn when the water temperature reaches the high 60s.
Bluegill, therefore, must spawn after LMs and Smallies. Does that sound right?
LM and 'gills may overlap some, but basically - yep.
As a rule, smallmouth bass will be the first to spawn followed by the largemouth. Largemouth like a little warmer water than smallmouth to spawn.
Warren
it our waters it is typically crappie,sm bass,lm bass, catfish, bluegills. they overlap some because of early staging of the various species
Spawn is influenced by ‘degree days’ as is much of aquatic development and activity.
Does length of daylight time enter in other than to raise water temps?
…lee s.
BFB,
The majority of smallies will begin spawning on the first full moon after the water has reached a consistant 58 degrees, and continue spawing on full/new moons until they are done, typically about 1 1/2 months, with some earlier and some later. This ‘starting’ temperature varies from lake to lake, year to year, and bass to bass, but ‘consistent’ temperature is usually the key that gets them going.
Largemouth will start on the first full moon after water temps reach about 65 degrees consistently, and continue on full/dark moon cyles until they are done. Sometimes you can find LM bass spawning for as long as three months, but the majority will spawn on the second full/dark cycle. It’s not uncommon in warm areas for some bass to spawn in the fall. There have been documented cases of some females spawning twice a year.
On lakes with large populations and large water fluctuations, some bass will be spawning all summer, from the first warm period until the water dips below 70 in the fall (natures defense against dropping water degrading the spawn).
On large reservoirs, the spawn will stagger down the lake from the shallow arms to the main lake (no, bass do not travel far to spawn-seldom more than 1/4 mile, and usually only a few yards in most cases).
THEN, we have the anomalies. It’s not uncommon to see bass spawning at odd times. Like after several days of sunny weather in December, etc…
I know 'gills spawn after the bass, and they spawn ‘longer’, but I’m not as up on them.
Good Luck!
Buddy
Thanks!
I was trying to figure out what might be happening on our local lakes. (Normally, I’m trout fishing right now and not paying attention.)
I think I might be able to estimate the water temperature in a lake (without actually going there and measuring) by averaging the daily highs and lows over the past week. Say a lake is near a particular town where the highs and lows are published. Then if I just averaged the 7 highs and 7 lows, and it was, say, 58 degrees – that might be reasonably close to the actual water temperature.
What d’ya think?
I’ve been busy tying up gurgle-pops, some aliens, and some Gartside gurglers. I’m gonna catch some smallies, LMs, and some 'gills outa my kayak this year.
I really like those aliens and those gurgle-pops. 
Bluegill facts
Beds Sand and fine gravel
Spawn Temperatures 67F to 80F
Peak Feeding Temperature 69F
The Geezer
This is a site that I use to snoop water temps and use it as a GENERAL rising and falling temp “pattern” indicator. There is a spot in the bottom right corner of the temp thingy to push for about 10 day’s history. [url=http://www.lauritzens.com/water/Water.asp:e2806]http://www.lauritzens.com/water/Water.asp[/url:e2806]
You should be able to find such a site near you…I hope.
A change of about 10* drop in high and low for several days usually only translates to a couple degrees drop in water temps…which we now have, which seems to be detrimental to our local shad bite…?
…lee s.
BFB,
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your outlook, water temps don’t change as quickly as air temps. Also, sun contact with the water has more effect on changing the temp than the ‘air temperature’ does, winds change all of it, as does water clarity, so you really can’t use the weather report to get accurate WATER temperatures.
However, with the internet, you can probably find out the temperature on ANY lake that has both bass and bass fishermen, especially if they host tournaments there. Bass fishermen go to these lakes to keep up with the fish, they visit message boards and forums, and most serious bass guys will know the temperature of the local lakes to within a degree or two. So, if you can find either a local or state fishing site (here in Arizona we have Arizona Outdoors or ‘AZOD’) you can ask there and usually get the temp of the water, as measured at the lake, within the last day or two.
Most tackle stores in the area that cater to the bass fishermen will also have a good idea of the temperature of the local lakes. It’s a critical point, and most bass guys aren’t asking what ‘lure’ is catching the fish, but what TEMPERATURE the water is…
Good luck!
Buddy
Phillip hit it right on the head. The bream don’t bed down here until the water temperature gets a lot warmer like into the mid to upper 70s and above. At least from what I’ve seen down here, the water needs to be even warmer than what Phillip posted. I have no idea what the water temp. needs to be in other states for bream to bed. Maybe not as warm as Florida.
One or two days before a full moon couldn’t hurt either when the water temp. is right .
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 23 May 2006).]
I just finished a book on bluegil fishing (publishing by one of FAOL’s sponsors). It said what others have already said…bass first, then bluegill…
It also says the blue gill like to snack on the freshly hatched bass as they start bedding up.
So if the local bass are spawning, tie up some flies that look like freshly hatched fry. Sort of a cross between an egg fly and a small minnow fly. I’ve seen these in the fly boxes of other anglers, but haven’t seen them for sale.
I figure a small (maybe size 8 or 10) Clouser with a clump of orange maribou or egg yarn tied to look like the remaining yolk sack ought to do the trick.
Bass also like to feed on freshly hatched blue gill so keep those fry flies handy if you’re trying to match that “hatch”…
Somewhere in my internet travels I discovered a reference to
The Modern Book of the Black Bass by Byron D.
(I’m blocking on how to spell they guy’s last name.)
Looked like the ticket on Blass Bass, and I ordered it.
Also another book titled “Finding Fish in Freshwater Lakes and Ponds”. That one seems to be hard to find.
What was the book on Bluegills?
(Among other things, you can see I’m a lover of books, and have a basement full of 'em. Wish I could say I knew everything in them!)
These tend to do that around here. They’re #10’s.
Interesting fly Lee.How about doing a ‘step-by-step’ “Fly of the week” on it for the rest of the warm water guys?
OK JC,
Will do. But we’ll probably be looking at “cold” water again before it gets done…“hard” water in some places.
BigFlatBrook,
The book on Bluegills is, “Bluegill Fly Fishing & Flies” written by Roxanne and Terry Wilson, published by [url=http://www.amatobooks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=157188176X&Category_Code=Fly_Fishing_Techniques:412fa]Amato Book[/url:412fa]
An easy read, includes patterns for all the flies they recommend. I ordered directly from them and picked the cheapest shipping…they sent it Priority Mail I think and it arrived very quickly.