I’m looking forward to getting out to the Dogwood in early April so I appreciate the report. 

You might be seeing prior year bass or blue gill beds.  When Charles McCallum and I sideview mapped my home lake a few months ago, we saw pothole beds everywhere stacked in certain areas which were likely bluegill beds.  We saw sporadic beds in a few spots that were probably bass beds.  In both cases they were from the prior year (bluegill spawn continuously till the water cools down.  

That said, bucks will start moving up and making beds in shallow water when the water hits 55-60 and the days start getting longer after winter solstice.  Until it is warm enough for long enough, the females won’t lock on beds from what I’ve seen.  

In smaller water, bass will spawn in waves throughout the year from full moon in March to May/early June from what I’ve seen. 

Originaly Posted By Joshua Massoud

I’m looking forward to getting out to the Dogwood in early April so I appreciate the report. 

You might be seeing prior year bass or blue gill beds.  When Charles McCallum and I sideview mapped my home lake a few months ago, we saw pothole beds everywhere stacked in certain areas which were likely bluegill beds.  We saw sporadic beds in a few spots that were probably bass beds.  In both cases they were from the prior year (bluegill spawn continuously till the water cools down.  

That said, bucks will start moving up and making beds in shallow water when the water hits 55-60 and the days start getting longer after winter solstice.  Until it is warm enough for long enough, the females won’t lock on beds from what I’ve seen.  

In smaller water, bass will spawn in waves throughout the year from full moon in March to May/early June from what I’ve seen. 

Thanks Joshua for your thoughts, suggestions.  As for the beds we saw with no fish on them or in their immediate area, we recently fished some nearby big E.TX lakes this past week, and saw LOTS of beds everywhere, with bass all over them, and also crusing the shallows (for the first time this year!!). Sight fishing was on!   Granted, last week was the first sunny, high 70s/low 80s weather of 2022 so it finally kicked things off.  And, agree…with smaller water as we have seen too, sometimes they spawn earlier and/or thoughout the year.  Guess we hoping for some of the same as what we had seen on the larger, nearby lakes.  But, with more consistent and warmer weather in the days and weeks ahead, it will only be getting better!   Good luck with your trip out there in a few weeks.  I look forward to your report.  There are some beasts out there, for sure!  Cheers,

Originaly Posted By Brian Weaver

Thanks Joshua for your thoughts, suggestions.  As for the beds we saw with no fish on them or in their immediate area, we recently fished some nearby big E.TX lakes this past week, and saw LOTS of beds everywhere, with bass all over them, and also crusing the shallows (for the first time this year!!). Sight fishing was on!   Granted, last week was the first sunny, high 70s/low 80s weather of 2022 so it finally kicked things off.  And, agree…with smaller water as we have seen too, sometimes they spawn earlier and/or thoughout the year.  Guess we hoping for some of the same as what we had seen on the larger, nearby lakes.  But, with more consistent and warmer weather in the days and weeks ahead, it will only be getting better!   Good luck with your trip out there in a few weeks.  I look forward to your report.  There are some beasts out there, for sure!  Cheers,

Wondering something. Last time I was there, water was very low and even the ramp was out of the water and was a muddy mess even launching a kayak. They sold water to a drilling company and lowered the water level. Is the water levels back up ok? The concrete ramp ended a good 8 foot from water level when I went. Haven’t seen any later water level reports since however.