Any ideas on when the redear and gills go on nest?

[redearhoosier]

I always go by water temperature being in the upper 60's, close to 70 as being prime time for the nests. But with the crazy spring we've had in Southern Ind., it's hard to tell. I'd say next week they'll be going on their beds. What do you all think?

[Hoosier Hunter]

Late next week you should see some bedding.

[GeoFisher]

On most lakes I've fished...........I've ALWAYS found the bass on the nest, and THEN the redears/bluegills go on the nest, and sometimes.........they will USE the same ones.......and eat lots of fry.

So.......after the bass spawn...........wait a week or so, and the GILLS will be there munchin on little fry, and getting ready to do their business.

Later,

Geo

[bcnitro]

what kind of affect does the carp have being up in the shallows on bass? Seems like when I find a good lookin spot for bass I always run into a slue carp stirring up the water. I have decided to start taking my bow with me. It the bass aren't hitting then I will start stickin the carp.

[SteveM4A1]

in my experiences, if theres carp there, theres no bass. doesn't matter the time of year. makes me mad.

[topwater2007]

Crappie spawn first, then bass always spawn . Then redear closely followed by bluegill.

Redear will spawn on the next full moon.

One point though, LEAVE THE SPAWN ALONE. You can catch them at any other time so don't be depriving a lake of a bunch of new spawn.

If you don't have a healthy panfish lake, you don't have a healthy lake.

ole top

[Hoosier Hunter]

They will spawn without the moon. Last years full moon was on May 20th. Everywhere I fished the red ears and gills were heavy nesting by May 6th. Water temp is the KEY factor!

[RangerJay]

30 miles south of indy I suprisingly found a group of them nesting monday. I was suprised that the area was fully developed and they were on the nest. Its been a while since Ive seen bluegill on in late april.

[redearhoosier]

Crappie spawn first, then bass always spawn . Then redear closely followed by bluegill.

Redear will spawn on the next full moon.

One point though, LEAVE THE SPAWN ALONE. You can catch them at any other time so don't be depriving a lake of a bunch of new spawn.

If you don't have a healthy panfish lake, you don't have a healthy lake.

ole top

You're wrong on the assumption that taking fish off the nest will kill a lakes future population. This months Indiana Game and Fish discusses this topic in it's article on the five top bluegill lakes in Indiana.

In discussing Sylvan Lake the magazine has this to say "Sylvan Lake's bluegills are prolific spawners and anglers need feel no guilt for taking them off the nest. A single pair of bluegills can singlehandedly replenish a lake, and it's nearly impossible to fish bluegills out entirely, except in the tiniest ponds."

That's a direct qoute about spawning bluegill and sunfish from Indiana Game and Fish. I happen to agree 100% with their assessment. Only in the small ponds can anglers effectively knock out a population of bluegills or redears.

[Hoosier Hunter]

I went to one of my favorite spots in Jackson county today. One of the annual nesting spots had several redears that were just starting. I caught a few dandies off them. Any day and they will really move in.

Seen several bass on the beds.