Northwest Fishing Reports

Would the bass be spawning yet in my secret lake as it is about 4 acres and only around 10 feet deep so do u think the bass are on the beds yet.

Very possible. Smallies are in my lakes.

well in my lake there are only largemouth so maybe some bass guys can give me some insight. Thanks

Take a temperature reading on your lake. That's the best way to tell. EVERY lake will be different. Remember it was snowing up there not more then a week ago. Now it's better weather but I doubt it's over 50*F and it needs to be well over that to have a spawn....Every lake is different. I'd be more concerned with identifying when the prespawn is and bass moving up shallow because I don't think we have even hit that stage yet...

when does the prespawn occur is that somewhat like the spawn

Pre-Spawn is typically the time when the bass are staging to get ready to make their shallow water migrations into spawning territories.

As far as fish on beds now. Sam gave the best advice on getting a temp reading. It is extremely unlikely bass are on beds right now. Smallies typically won't get on beds till water temps reach 60*, and around 65* for largemouth.

Any fish up shallow right now are coming up to feed, not to spawn. Once temps start to get around 50* you will notice increased shallow water activity from the feeders. We are about another month away for the smallies and look for largemouth around May into June.

so what your saying is the bass could come up shallow so it can be a good fishery for them in the shallow water

In a lake like your describing 10' max the water will heat more rapid. I am working on a topic about "spawning temps. in the NW" but so far it looks like our bass will start "staging" at 50-52 and will start to spawn at temperatures as low as 55. I will have more on this and a couple other topics in a couple of days! i have been doing a lot of research and don't want to spoil anything.(one of my resources have been mentioned somewhere on this site:-" )

well bigbass taz if u want to fish it tell me and thanks for the info so the largies can start spawning here in 55 degree water so would u think they are in the prespawn now

fishingmachine wrote:well bigbass taz if u want to fish it tell me and thanks for the info so the largies can start spawning here in 55 degree water so would u think they are in the prespawn now

Far North it has been noted bass starting to spawn at 55*. I am having trouble nailing down a number. At 55* they will be feeding and moving around! If your lake is at 55* GO FISHING! The lakes I have been on are in the mid. 40's.I am writing on prespawn currently will hopefully have it posted tonight!

yeah since beaver lake is around 50 i would imagine my secret lake to be in the mid 50's so what the shallow fishing maybe good right now and if u want to hit it up let me know

My advice if you do start catching them off their beds,try to release them ASAP. I will fish them any time of year. But when they are truly spawning,I try to hussle my release to keep other fish from dining. Thus,keeping a great bass fishery.

I don't know if it's possible for any lake to be 50degrees right now, you have to look at low temperature for the nights, that will also affect the water temperature. During the spring on sunny days, largies like to be in shallow waters just warming up their bodies, it's a good sign, once they've warmed them selves up, they'll be active. My experience with largies spawning is 60 to 65 degrees. With smallies 55 to 60.

so is therea good chance of largies being in the shallows right now

yeah kevin i would just do a quick photo and back in the water it goes to make more bass

Largemouth bass typically spawn when the water temperature reaches 58 degrees. Smaller and shallower lakes will have bass spawning usually mid april to late may. Bigger and deeper lakes will spawn from may to even july. A key thing to look for would be bluegill and crappie beds. If they are still spawning the bass are usually still in pre-spawn. But different areas of the same lake could be different.

Smallmouth is not my specialty so no help from me on that.

so basssmaster your saying it could be productive to go fish the shallows at my secret lake as it also has panfish and the bass may be in prespawn since the water should be in the 50's

fishingmachine wrote:so basssmaster your saying it could be productive to go fish the shallows at my secret lake as it also has panfish and the bass may be in prespawn since the water should be in the 50's

Just go out and try it. The weather is nice, they're going to be shallow, especially in a small lake.

bassmasterderek wrote: A key thing to look for would be bluegill and crappie beds. If they are still spawning the bass are usually still in pre-spawn.

I got to disagree sunfish I know for sure spawn after the lmb.

sounds good will it be the females up shallow or the smaller males and does anyon want to hit it up with me and does anyone have any good tips for this water