Thanks Bill !

There are all varieties of info in many studies on LMB and temps. From looking at them, I can tell you it is very complicated - too complicated for me to draw straight line conclusions. Some of the variables are type of LMB (both male/female and Fla vs Northern), size/age of LMB , location of the fish (north/south/central), water quality/contents, type of water body (pond/lake/resiv/stream), type and amount of food, stress levels and more.

The variation is significant. I don't draw this conclusion "The peak of metabolism occurs before 86 F." I think it depends. In other studies, the peak of consumption is not equal to max metabolism, nor highest growth etc. as to many other conditions are ongoing and effect outcomes. The most that can be said is -- it depends - and that a compilation of studies indicate "the thermal referendum is between 26 and 29 C , 78.8 & 84.2F). Somewhere in that range (individual range per water body), depending, you will see max consumption, growth and metabolism and they likely aren't necessarily at the same temp. I will add that in those temp ranges, whether going up in spring/early summer and on the way down in fall LMB bass will eat like crazy.

Last edited by ewest; 10/02/25 11:01 AM.