All about that bass

During spring, the local weatherman stands before a green screen, strategically circling portions of the state with high- and low-pressure systems. Predicting spring weather in Idaho can be all over the map. While it might be weeks before most anglers wait for those warm, sunny days to pack coolers and slather on sunscreen, there is a group of die-hards who anxiously await these unpredictable days this May: here's looking at hardcore bass anglers.

The reason anglers go after bass during these next few weeks is simple: That’s when the big, trophy-size bass are swimming up from the deeper pools to spawn in shallower water. Warmer temperatures mean more active bass. Imagine just how fun waking up at 4 a.m. to go for a jog in January sounds and it illustrates the point.

While both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be targeted most of the year, the first few weeks of spring — as water temperatures begin to rise — mark the most exciting time to target trophy bass. And, no, there's no need to be a bass tournament pro to get in on the hunt, either.

All it takes is a little understanding of a bass’ habitat, spawning cycle, water temperature dynamics and directions to a nearby fishery. Put it all together and get a recipe for one heck of a weekend fishing for America’s most popular game fish.

A pain in the bass

Bass can be tricky. While found across most of the state, the opportunity to track them down during this pivotal season is often easier in theory than in reality. Understanding their habitat and the type of waterbody they inhabit is key to honing in on either small or largemouth bass.

Smallmouths tend to lurk in cooler waters, such as the Snake River and cooler lakes with deeper water and less vegetation. Largemouth, on the other hand, tend to be found in warmer, shallower bodies of water where rocks and vegetation provide ample coverage from overhead sun and predators. Think of that local pond or reservoir with fallen trees, rock crevices, cattails, overhanging willows, cottonwoods, lily pads, etc.

Generally speaking, if the structure is visible above the water, or just below the surface, then it’s more likely largemouth territory. And if it’s too deep to tell or too cold to wade and find out, then it might be smallmouth country.

As water temperatures slowly begin their spring and summer climb, it’s worth noting that the window of opportunity to find these big fish is only open for a few weeks, sometimes less depending on the rate at which the temperatures rise and how, let’s just say efficient, the bass are at spawning.

“At around 60 degrees, bass are full-on spawning,” says Martin Koenig, Fish and Game’s Sportfish Program coordinator. “At that point, they are already thinking about digging their nests and depositing their eggs, which means that bass are very catchable in the mid-50 degree range.”

Bodies of water warm up differently based on their size and location. Shallower water warms quicker than deeper water. That kiddie pool in a backyard is going to be a lot warmer (a lot quicker) than water flowing out the base of Arrowrock Dam, for instance. So monitoring the ongoing temperatures of whichever body of water to go fishing is key. Keep a thermometer handy inside tackle boxes on fishing trips. In many bass fisheries in the southern part of the state (more on fishing destinations later), that clock is already counting down.

Check the weather

Spring fishing can be hit-and-miss, but it’s usually best when the weather is stable. Bass will come into shallow waters as the weather warms and will stay there if conditions remain good. Spring cold fronts can interrupt this migration when bass often turn back to deeper water. Anglers will have better luck fishing on bright, sunny days when the fish are more active. Cloudy or rainy days often push bass back down to their wintering levels, making the bite less predictable.

Boat or bank angler?

Normally the only way to target those big, deep-water bass during the year is by boat and some form of technology that monitors water depth. Shore anglers are usually pretty limited in how deep they can target fish since casting a line out from dry land only gets so far.

During much of the year, those larger bass (especially smallmouth) are down deep or hanging on offshore structures, making them tough for shore anglers to reach. However, as the temperatures rise and into the first week of May, the playing field sort of levels out for anglers of both varieties.

Pre-spawn bass will be ascending from the deeper pockets of a lake or reservoir onto shallow gravelly flats. This is when shore anglers have a better chance to reach them with a jig or bait, and fancy sonar isn’t necessary.

Full-on spawn

“It may just be three weeks out of the year, but the bigger smallmouth are going to be the ones ready to spawn,” says Koenig. “Those mature 15-19 inchers are seeking out the sandier, gravelly shallows to carve out little divots in the bottom and deposit their eggs in those spots.”

Males will usually show up first to prep the nests in hopes of attracting a female. Once the work of digging the nests is done, females will show up (if the males’ handiwork is up to snuff) and deposit their eggs.

The females don’t stick around much longer after that, though. The males, on the other hand, will hang around to guard the nests and ward off any predators, such as bluegill or perch, which might see the eggs or newly hatched bass fry as an easy meal. Males also work to keep the eggs oxygenated by fanning them.

“But seeking out the spawning beds is just an indicator,” Koenig suggests. “Finding those transition zones in the water level, somewhere between the warm shallows and spots just below, is where you want to be targeting them.”

A lesson from Oxbow Reservoir

Oxbow Reservoir, the 581-acre stretch of water along the lower Snake River, is a perfect example of how water temperature determines where bass are in their life cycle.

Oxbow’s long and shallow water corridor, essentially a bloated section of the Snake River, doesn’t provide many opportunities for deep sections of water that a larger lake might have. Water flowing into Oxbow from the base of Brownlee Dam is especially cold, roughly 55 degrees, during spring. With colder water coming in, bass might be pre-spawn in the upper end of the reservoir.

Midway down, where the water temperatures have warmed to around 60 degrees, bass will have already moved on to the heart of the spawn, hugging those shallows closer to the bank to dig nests and lay eggs.

Near the lower end of the reservoir, the bass may have finished spawning and are already back in the deeper portions of the reservoir.

And the cool thing is: All of these behaviors and stages in the spawn can be witnessed on a single day. Where fishing spots fall on the temperature scale will determine what part of the bass life cycle is happening there.

As seen in the Oxbow Reservoir example, there are many factors that drive water temperatures to fluctuate. It goes without saying that lakes at higher elevations take longer to warm up. For example, the higher elevation upper Snake River flowing into American Falls Reservoir is going to take a lot longer to reach those optimal 55-65 degree water temperatures than, say, C.J. Strike Reservoir in the southwest corner of the state, despite being on the same river system.

Anglers should be thinking about this when considering where to target big bass. Expect the bite to be earlier where the waters warm soonest. And that brings us to our final point.

Where to fish for bass around the state

There are dozens of fisheries all across the state that hold decent populations of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass (and in a few cases, both). Depending on the region, consistent weather patterns and a preference on which type of bass to go for, here is a list of some of the best bass fishing spots around Idaho.

Largemouth bass

Shallower, warmer waters. Look for 5-10 feet of water, with flooded habitat, tree stumps, cover and vegetation.

• Lake Lowell

• Crane Falls Reservoir

• Cove Arm Reservoir

• Glendale Reservoir

• Ben Ross Reservoir

• Weston Reservoir

• Mann Lake

• Mann Creek Reservoir

• And community ponds

Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth habitat is harder to recognize and might be deep below the surface. In the spring, look for rocky shorelines with boulders, dams, dikes, cliffs, etc. Anything that breaks the river current is a good bet.

• Brownlee Reservoir

• Cascade Reservoir

• Anderson Ranch Reservoir

• Dworshak Reservoir

• Milner Reservoir

• Lake Walcott

• Foster Reservoir

• Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir

• Lower Snake River

Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

Diverse bodies of water that have both deep, cooler pools and warm shallows along the bank can give anglers a good chance for targeting both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

C.J. Strike Reservoir

Lake Coeur d’Alene / Chain Lakes

Fish low and slow

Every day of fishing is a little different and every fish is a little different, but there are common traits that will help catch bass during spring. They’re still a little sluggish, so they aren’t typically going to chase a fast-retrieved lure or bait.

That also might limit the savage strike for which bass are famous. It might feel as subtle as dragging a lure across a blade of grass, or a gentle, steady pull. Since they’re spawning, or getting ready to spawn, they’re likely going to be close to the bottom, so that’s where to fish.

Connor Liess is a public information specialist for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.