I did not know LMB are harem spawners.....

[urs4]

Over this past weekend we were up at a camp in Mass and there were 5 huge LMB a foot from shore in roughly 18-20" of water. The small ones were 3" thick and I'd est 20-24". Well, they all were making fish porn in the same nest. I did not see them laying eggs yet but at one time 3 of them were standing on their heads while the big one was underneath. they could care less about my presence so I watched them for probably a half hour. It was something to see this many large fish patroling the shallows and always coming back the the stairs where they had cleared the gravel/sand. I have seen LMB breed over the years but I have always seen pairs. Curious if any body else can share some experience???

steve

 

[4wheelvfr]

Over this past weekend we were up at a camp in Mass and there were 5 huge LMB a foot from shore in roughly 18-20" of water. The small ones were 3" thick and I'd est 20-24". Well, they all were making fish porn in the same nest. I did not see them laying eggs yet but at one time 3 of them were standing on their heads while the big one was underneath. they could care less about my presence so I watched them for probably a half hour. It was something to see this many large fish patroling the shallows and always coming back the the stairs where they had cleared the gravel/sand. I have seen LMB breed over the years but I have always seen pairs. Curious if any body else can share some experience???

steve

It's very common for males to mate with multiple females, but it almost sounds the opposite from what you described. Since the male is the one to build and guard the nest it almost sounds like you saw an example of 'satellite' breeders. Smaller males that can't yet build and guard a nest competitively or attract a mate will come in and release their sperm while the main male is busy doing his thing. Pretty common with other sunfish species I know, but with bass, I don't know.

 

[urs4]

thx for the reply.

The one's with their head down were not cleaning the nest that I could see, roughly a 3ft oblong area had already been cleared. But those were the fattest fish which I would think would be females with eggs. To me it seemed like the one on the bottom was mouthing them somewhat but glare on the water made it difficult that time of day. I knew the females breed multiple times with different males to strengthen the gene pool but I never seen that many in one nest. I've also read the male does all the work with the nest/fry once the tramp leaves You can usually tell when they are breeding because there are no bluegills/pumpkinseeds in sight.

I think I am going back this weekend and will bring a camera to capture it if i can.

 

[4wheelvfr]

The one mouthing or bumping the other fish could've been the male. They will often bump and nip the females to get them to drop their eggs. I don't really know enough about it to say whether they are enticing them or coercing them, but I do believe it's normal courtship behavior for the males to do this.