With one of the hottest driest summers in a long time I am finding my largemouths are actually feeding less once water temps reach the mid 80's. I was feeding twice a day with feeding nowhwere near as aggressive as when I feed once a day. I think metabolism is peaking out somewhere in the upper 70's or low 80's. Now I am only feeding once a day and the feed bill is lower too. However growth still seems quite good.

Not very profund and I'm sure literature coincides with this. Some scientists actually call the largemouth bass a "coolwater fish."

The bluegills however in the small pond (different pond) at 86 F. are feeding as good as ever. I do have literature that shows peak feeding or bluegill in that range.

BTW the Will 'O' Wisp bug feeder is doing a dynamite job on feeding insects to the bluegills at night. They just love sucking in insects around that thing. I do feed them pellets in the daytime too.

Now if I could just persuage a Great Blue Heron to stay away. I have preventive measures to keep him out of the water but he keeps coming back. I don't want him crapping in the water and spreading parasites.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.