I know it is hard to gauge and it depends on a lot, but isnt the bass spawn USUALLY about a month after ice out? I know it depends on MANY variables including:

when Ice out actually occurs
How warm is the air
how large the lake is
how quick the water warms
weather around this time
and many others but...

I am just wondering if the ice is out NORMALLY around the last week of April then the bass spawn AROUND the last week of may, with this year it isnt until the 2nd week of May it wont be till around the 2nd week of June.

Is this a reasonable guess? We normally miss the spawn by a couple weeks this year when we are there (June 9-16) it feels like it might be right on.

What are your thoughts about the bass spawn this year?

Water temp is a key factor.

Large mouth will normally spawn when the water temp is between 55 and 65 degrees. Hit the shallows and you'll be able to sight fish for them.

Small mouth are a bit more difficult look to the North West end of the lake that gets direct sunlight and has protection from wind and waves. 59 to 65 degrees and small Pea sized gravel is definitely a plus anywhere from 3 to 15 feet of water.

Good Luck

JB

quote jb in the wild: "Water temp is a key factor.

JB"

Water temp matters, but MORE important is warming trends and light penetration. Light is what matures the eggs, not water temp.

5-6 days of solid WARM weather days will send the big sows to the grounds. I'm suspecting I will catch plenty of prespawn bass and quite a few close to dropping their stuff in 4 weeks.

Of course, I could be smokin crak, but as soon as the water is clear of ice, and things start calming down, things will get moving.....

This year, if the water warms up too late though, they just might not drop them. I've seen that happen too.

Later,

Geo

We'll be up there the first week of June. I'm guessing they'll be pre-spawn.
Any suggestions on what the pattern might be? Of course we'll try everything and see what works. Would just like to hear from some some suggestions.

Locate spawning areas that you either know of from past years or obvious spawning areas that contain small rocks/pea gravel. The bass will be staged in 10-15 ft of water just off these spawning areas. I like tube jigs. The fish will move in shallow as sunlight penetrates and warms the water. Look for this movement late morning on sunny days. Concentrate on the north & northwest shorelines as they get the most direct sunlight. Also try some of the smaller lakes and bays that have shallow dark bottom to absorb the sunlight. Pay attention to water temp. from lake to lake and get info from your outfitter, if you're using one, about his experience. We had a late spring a few years ago when I was fishing Rainy late May. Not being familar with the lake, smallies were tough to find (although we hammered big walleye), until we located some areas where the water temp was over 50.

quote tuckriverman2: "Locate spawning areas that you either know of from past years or obvious spawning areas that contain small rocks/pea gravel. The bass will be staged in 10-15 ft of water just off these spawning areas. I like tube jigs. The fish will move in shallow as sunlight penetrates and warms the water. Look for this movement late morning on sunny days. Concentrate on the north & northwest shorelines as they get the most direct sunlight. Also try some of the smaller lakes and bays that have shallow dark bottom to absorb the sunlight. Pay attention to water temp. from lake to lake and get info from your outfitter, if you're using one, about his experience. We had a late spring a few years ago when I was fishing Rainy late May. Not being familar with the lake, smallies were tough to find (although we hammered big walleye), until we located some areas where the water temp was over 50."

Pretty much SPOT ON......

The smallies will be ganged up on points leading to the promised land. Tubes and Swimbaits. No joke.

Later,

Geo.

quote GeoFisher: "

quote tuckriverman2: "Locate spawning areas that you either know of from past years or obvious spawning areas that contain small rocks/pea gravel. The bass will be staged in 10-15 ft of water just off these spawning areas. I like tube jigs. The fish will move in shallow as sunlight penetrates and warms the water. Look for this movement late morning on sunny days. Concentrate on the north & northwest shorelines as they get the most direct sunlight. Also try some of the smaller lakes and bays that have shallow dark bottom to absorb the sunlight. Pay attention to water temp. from lake to lake and get info from your outfitter, if you're using one, about his experience. We had a late spring a few years ago when I was fishing Rainy late May. Not being familar with the lake, smallies were tough to find (although we hammered big walleye), until we located some areas where the water temp was over 50."

Pretty much SPOT ON......

The smallies will be ganged up on points leading to the promised land. Tubes and Swimbaits. No joke.

Later,

Geo.
"

Or....

(Earmuffs TGO)

Cranks!