Best Temperature for Fishing

While spring turnover is going on, so is spawning and it’s all about light and water temperature.

While most spawning usually occurs between April and May, these numbers can be lower or higher depending on the return of cold weather and passing cold fronts can push back spawning times. So here are the basic spawning temps and locations for the fish in the Northwoods.


NOTHERN PIKE Will start spawning when water temperatures reach between 38 to 42. NORTHERN Spawn in shallow bays over vegetation but have also been known to spawned over gravel or rocks in shallow water.

WALLEYE spawn when water temp is between 38 to 44 degrees in shallow water over rocks, gravel or rubble.

PERCH can start spawning after water reaches 45 degrees to 52 degrees over vegetation.

MUSKIE start when temps are between 49 to 59 in shallow water (BAYS) over thick vegetation.

SMALLMOUTH BASS are the first nest builders. These nests can be 2 feet in diameter or more. They start staging and will spawn between 55 to 70 degrees over gravel. In clear water this nest could be 10 to 20 feet deep or 5 to 10 in stained water.

CRAPPIE spawn temps start around 60 degrees up to 68 degrees. Build nest in 4 to 6 feet of water over sand or gravel.

LARGEMOUTH BASS begin spawning at 62 to 65 degrees over a harder bottom like, sand or gravel in shallow water.

BLUEGILLS can start spawning when water temps are between 67 to 80 degrees and again these nests are in sand or gravel in 3 to 5 feet of water.

Minnows coincide with spawning temperatures above.
CISCO  45 to 55 gravel
FATHEADS 60 to 70 gravel
SHINERS 60 to 70 gravel

As I mentioned above, the timing of spawn can differ if water temperatures change due to the weather (cold fronts).

Being the opener is May 2nd I’m adding POST SPAWN FISHING also this week.

PLEASE RELEASE WALLEYES OVER 24 INCHES. THESE BIG GIRLS PRODUCE MORE EGGS AND LARGER WALLEYES IN THE FUTURE.