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When Do Bass Spawn?

Mark Armstrong
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Knowing when bass spawn can mean you have a better chance of reeling in a fish, since this information should help you to know where to locate them at a particular time of year.

The pre-spawn, for example, can be one of the best times of the year for bass fishing. So when do bass spawn?

Well, the answer to that depends on your location. But to give you a better idea of when bass usually spawn we’ve put together this short guide so you can improve your fishing by learning more about bass behavioral patterns during this annual event.

When Do Bass Spawn - PinterestPin

So…When Do Bass Spawn?

Time Of Year

Springtime is usually when bass will spawn in shallower areas. However, spring will arrive at different times of the year depending on your location. For example, in the southern states, bass will tend to spawn earlier in the spring compared to the northern states.

The bass spawn can happen as early as late November in Florida but will generally happen from around January to May.

At the other end of the spectrum, the bass spawn may not happen until June in the most northern areas of the country. The spawning times will often happen in waves, as the warmer spring weather heads up north, with the middle regions of the country usually seeing it in around March, April and sometimes May.

Water Temperatures

Perhaps more so than the time of year, the water temperature is probably what you want to keep an eye on, as this is often what will determine when the spawn will happen.

As the water temperatures begin to rise, the bass should start to move out of their winter zones in preparation for the spawn, which is what is usually known as the pre-spawn. This is when they will likely be feeding aggressively before they have to protect their nests, which can make for some good fishing.

Video: Where Do Bass Go In Early Spring?

When water temperatures reach the high 60s to low 70s this is often when largemouth bass will spawn.

Smallmouth bass tend to spawn in colder temperatures, usually around high 50s to low 60s.

> Winter bass

Pond Bass

If you’re waiting for temperatures to rise, it can be worth checking out smaller ponds, as these can often warm up quicker than larger lakes and rivers.

This means the spawn could start earlier in a pond compared to a river or large lake, even if they’re in the same area.

How Long Is Spawning Season?

The bass spawn can often last around three weeks, or sometimes longer but they will usually lay on their nests for around two weeks.

During this time they will guard their nests and will generally not actively feed. However, they will tend to defend their nests rather aggressively if anything comes too close or poses a threat.

Wrapping Up

Bass usually spawn in the spring, however, your geographic location may impact when spring actually arrives, so it might help to keep an eye on the weather and water temperatures.

Now that you know when bass are likely to spawn, this can be a good indicator for their behavior for the rest of the season and can help you better locate them for fishing.

Let us know if you’ve had any success during the spawn where you are and remember to share this with your bass fishing buddies to give them a heads up for the next season.

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2 thoughts on “When Do Bass Spawn?”

  1. This is so true, my husband and I go sight fishing in spring on Lake St. Clair where we find the nest and just cast on it, ALWAYS produces a nice catch. We always release right away and have so much fun finding them.

    Reply

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