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Joined: Jun 2019
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This WVDNR page makes it sound like only a once a year thing. Is that true? I know they spawn several times a year down south but I thought they'd regularly get off at least two up here.
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Spawning frequency 'it all depends'. Mostly on length of growing season. The longer the growing season the more likely multiple spawns will occur. Another factor is age of the fish and when it matures. Late spawned fish can mature later in the year and spawn later in the year, thus it may appear multiple spawns.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Oct 2018
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My opinion here.. I think there are not only age differences that affect spawning timing but other triggers that we may never know 100% for sure. I would say I disagree with the general thought that a "colony" moves in and spawns all at the same time. I think the window is quite large compared to other species such as bass, walleye etc.. I've seen BG on nests in May and still seen males guarding nests in August. Not sure that females produce more than 1 time a year but I do believe it's mother nature providing young of year to hit the best survival conditions come hell or high water. There may be a period where water temp is such they slow down or pull out (sounds bad) but they may resume to some extent after temps cool down slightly.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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There you go, two good answers for timing of bluegill spawning in central latitude and northern US. Spawning can occur in the temperature range of 69F-89F; with probably the main spawn period occurring when the water reaches 70-75F in spring.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/24/20 12:25 PM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Thanks everyone. Just knowing there isn't a set series of "bluegill spawning seasons" helps.
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Like everything else, it all depends. An extended warm Autumn can allow spawning at a later date.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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...can you imagine catching a bluegill (with attitude) over 31" like this article says! On your ultra-lite! Haha
Agree Dave - I regularly get Fall hatches of gills in Ohio.
Buckeyedude
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I also question the statement of all spawning within hours
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Temp and photoperiod control well conditioned fish spawning. There is no set in stone answer to how many times , when or how long the events take. Altitude can effect temp and photoperiod. If a pond is on the west side of a mountain slope it can effect photoperiod (morning sun reduced). It also effects water temps.
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Joined: Apr 2019
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I'm in central Virginia and I was seeing bluegill fry in early november so I assume at least some were spawning in Oct.
Last edited by nvcdl; 02/29/20 02:19 PM.
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That is not an unusual occurrence especially if there is a warm fall period.
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I have my own thoughts on the Bluegill spawn. My belief is that each fish will only spawn once a year in the northern part of the US, possibly 2x year in the deep South. BUT I don't believe that ALL Bluegills in a body of water will spawn at the same time unless there is enough suitable spawning areas for them to do so. I believe that the most dominant fish spawn first, then next month the less dominant fish that didn't get a spawning area the previous month will spawn.
Think about the numbers of the bluegills in a particular BOW. Given that they spawn in a relatively narrow area in a pond (roughly 1'-5' depth depending on water clarity, water depth and substrate) and that each male makes a nest anywhere from 12" to 24" diameter, there may not be enough area for all the bluegill to spawn that month.
I feel that bluegills will spawn any time of the year when the water temperature is consistently above 72°F, and they typically spawn here right before or during a full moon.
I believe in Texas Bluegills have been observed spawning as late as November and as early as February, if the water temperature is warm enough.
I haven't seen a Northern Bluegill (talking North of central Indiana) have carrying eggs or milt past the full moon in August. I have seen them spawn as early as the full moon in May.
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Moderator Lunker
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Scott, it is my personal, untested, etc belief that our long warm water periods contribute to last years late hatched ones, and some that might get hatched early getting big enough to spawn later.
But, I se more nests in the Spring than later
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 03/12/20 06:27 AM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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For good insight on BG nesting look for a series of studies by Neff.
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