The largemouth bass is by far one of the most popular fishing species in the country, and there are many places where you can look for them. From rivers to lakes to small ponds, this amazing fish can live just about anywhere. Depending on where they live, however, will have a big impact on when they actually will spawn. So when do bass spawn in smaller ponds?
What is the Spawn
While the spawn is almost everyone’s favorite time of year to fish, what exactly is the spawn? The spawn is when the bass goes and lays, fertilizes, and hatch all of their eggs. This will all usually take place over the course of around three to four weeks. They will search for flat, hard bottoms in order to build their nests and start the spawn. Once the young bass hatch and are big enough to fend for themselves, the spawn ends and they all go their separate ways.
What Time of Year is the Spawn
The exact time of year that the bass spawn will largely depend on where you are located. Things such as the temperature and moon phase will also play a role in the exact dates for when the bass will begin spawning. This process can begin as early as February in some areas or as late as June. So how do you know when the bass are spawning in your small pond? Regardless of what time of year the bass spawn in your neck of the woods, there are a few things that you can watch for in order to know the spawn is underway.
Spawning Indicators
The great thing about fishing in a small pond is that it is even easier to pick out spawning indicators than it would be in things like a large river or lake. One of the first things to keep an eye out for when trying to figure out if the bass is spawning in an area is where they are located. Spawning bass will move into the shallows, particularly in hard bottoms, where they can create their nests. If you see this, it is a good sign of spawning behavior.
Another sign to look for is how aggressive the bass is. They will be most aggressive during the middle of the spawn, and viewing fish in a small pond is much easier when it comes to seeing and observing their behavior.
Final Thoughts
Spawning bass is a blast to catch, and they can be even better when caught out of a smaller pond. If you are ever wondering when the best time to catch them, however, you don’t want to miss out on the spawn!
If you’re interested in learning more about bass fishing, check out these articles:
3 Bait Tips for Catching 10-Pound Bass
3 Rods Every Weekend Bass Angler Needs to Catch More Fish
Top 5 Bass Species To Catch
Bass Fishing Tips You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
