Biologist says water flow, surface temps are keys in trigging annual white bass spawning run

Most experts believe there are a combination of factors that jump-start the white bass spawning run from one year to the next.

“The two biggest environmental factors are increasing water temps and current,” said TPWD fisheries biologist Jake Norman of Tyler. “Photoperiod and increasing daylight hours have a role in it too, similar to other species, but temperature and flow are the two big ones. You need both elements to occur simultaneously to really have a strong run.”

Norman says the ideal scenario unfolds when water temps climb into the mid-50s and timely warm rains bring rising water and flowing creeks.

“White bass can flood into the tributaries so thick when the conditions get right,” he said. “That’s not to say there won’t be a run if those two conditions don’t line up. Steady warming trends with minimal flow will still trigger a spawning migration, and conversely flowing creeks emptying into the reservoir with cold conditions will pull fish into the tributaries as well. They may not be in true spawning mode if the water temps are still cold, but they are naturally drawn to flowing water/current regardless of the season.” — Matt Williams