As promised here is a quick update on the bass nests. We were a bit worried that some of the eggs had gone bad (one nest in particular was looking a bit fuzzy) but it seems that little ones have hatched out of all of the nests. We first noticed the clumps of black on Friday, but now they are much more visible as little fish. Mike took these pictures yesterday and as you can see they have begun to spread out. It won't be long before they begin to explore and hang out at the surface of the water.
This is the sixth time I've watched this process of the smallmouth bass coming to make their nests and protecting the little ones and it still facinates me. I love to walk along the docks every day and see how they are doing. Once they leave the nests and start to swim around these babies will still stay close to the docks where they can quickly hide underneath them if need be. We have also seen several little ones from last year and the year before who have returned to hang around the docks.
How cool. I don't think I have ever seen baby bass before. Thanks for sharing. We miss L/I houseboating.
ReplyDeleteSee you next year,
Rob and Lynn Vaillancourt
Hi Rob and Lynn!
ReplyDeleteI tried to reply to your comment right away but Blogger was having issues so I couldn't...
We will miss seeing you this summer as well.
The babies are almost twice this size now but they are usually scattered so harder to take pictures of.
You'll have to come earlier in the season next year so you can see the bass on their nests :)