Spawning Guide

Track spawning activities and protect fish reproduction in the Pere Marquette River.

Active Spawning Alert: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass are currently spawning. Please be cautious when wading to avoid disturbing redds.
Understanding Spawning Activity

You may notice the same species appearing multiple times with different colored borders. This reflects the complex nature of fish spawning behavior:

Blue Border: Pre-spawn activity - Fish preparing to spawn, often more aggressive feeders
Red Border: Active spawning - Fish building or defending redds, exercise extreme caution
Green Border: Post-spawn activity - Fish recovering after spawning, often vulnerable
Why duplicates? Different populations of the same species may be in different spawning stages simultaneously. Some fish may be actively spawning in warmer sections of the river while others are still in pre-spawn condition in cooler areas.

Temperature Range: Entries marked "Outside temp range" indicate fish that would typically be in that spawning stage this month, but current water temperatures aren't ideal for that activity.
Refresh Data Data Source: SERVER Updated: 02:32 PM

Current Spawning Activity

Current water temperature: 64.0°F

Current month: June

Steelhead (Rainbow Trout)
Post-spawn Outside temp range
Current Activity

Recovering in deeper, cooler water

Behavior: Often lethargic and weakened; may feed opportunistically on drifting insects but feeding is minimal; seek deeper, cooler water for recovery; some fish may begin downstream migration; coloration begins to fade

Spring-run steelhead are particularly vulnerable during spawning. Avoid wading in gravel runs during March-May.
Smallmouth Bass
Spawning
Current Activity

Building nests in gravel/sand in protected areas

Behavior: Males build and aggressively guard circular nests by fanning substrate with tail; extremely territorial, will attack lures, other fish, and even waders near nest sites; females deposit eggs while males fertilize and immediately begin guarding; males cease feeding entirely while guarding nests; will strike at anything perceived as threat

Males aggressively defend nests. Avoid fishing directly over visible bass beds.
Smallmouth Bass
Post-spawn Outside temp range
Current Activity

Males guard fry for several weeks

Behavior: Males remain defensive and territorial around nest sites, guarding fry for 2-4 weeks until they disperse; continue to attack threats near nest; gradually resume feeding as fry become more independent; females move to deeper water and resume normal feeding patterns

Males aggressively defend nests. Avoid fishing directly over visible bass beds.
Largemouth Bass
Spawning
Current Activity

Building nests in protected areas with softer bottom

Behavior: Males construct and aggressively defend large circular nests by fanning substrate; highly territorial, will strike at anything perceived as a threat to eggs or fry including lures, other fish, and disturbances; females deposit eggs while males fertilize; males cease feeding while actively guarding; nests often visible in clear water

Spawn later than smallmouth bass. Beds often visible in clearer backwaters.

Annual Spawning Calendar

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Steelhead (Rainbow Trout) PRE PRE SPA SPA POS
Chinook Salmon PRE PRE SPA POS
Coho Salmon PRE PRE SPA POS
Brown Trout PRE PRE SPA POS
Brook Trout PRE PRE SPA POS
Smallmouth Bass PRE PRE SPA POS
Largemouth Bass PRE PRE SPA SPA POS
Rainbow Trout (Resident) PRE PRE SPA POS
Pre-spawn
Spawning
Post-spawn
Calendar Guide

This calendar shows typical spawning patterns throughout the year. Actual spawning activity may vary based on:

  • Water Temperature - Warmer or cooler than normal temperatures can shift spawning timing
  • Water Flow - High or low water conditions can delay or accelerate spawning
  • Weather Patterns - Unusual weather can affect fish behavior and spawning timing

The current month is based on real-time data, while the calendar shows historical patterns.

Redd Protection

How to Identify a Redd

Redds appear as clean, bright patches in the gravel, often oval-shaped and lighter than surrounding substrate.

Wading Guidelines
  • Avoid walking through areas with visible redds
  • Cross rivers in deeper sections during spawning season
  • Stay on established trails and entry points
  • Fish from the bank when possible during peak spawning
  • Look ahead when wading to spot redds before getting too close

Conservation Impact

Why It Matters

Protecting spawning fish and their redds ensures healthy future populations and preserves the quality of the fishery for years to come.

Your Role

As an angler, your careful wading practices can make a significant difference in spawning success rates. Damaged redds result in lower hatching rates and fewer fish in subsequent years.

Report Violations

If you observe someone intentionally disturbing redds or targeting spawning fish in a harmful manner, contact the Michigan DNR at 1-800-292-7800.