LOTS OF BASS THIS YEAR!

Jon caught this 19-inch bass at the camp this past weekend. Another fisherman landed a 20 incher nearby. Bass are very plentiful in the lake and I was able to snap this photo from our patio deck of papa bass (red box) guarding his nest.

A male small mouth may build several "practice nests" until he finally settles on one as suitable. The nest is usually a large, perfectly circular, clean gravel structure. Nests are usually located near shore in lakes; downstream from boulders or some other obstruction that offers protection against strong current in streams.

In the spring, when the water temp reaches about 62 F, the male comes close to shore and using his tail, fans out a nest on the lake bottom. The male smallmouth may build several "practice nests" until he finally settles on one as suitable. The nest is usually a large, perfectly circular, clean gravel structure and are usually located near shore in lakes; downstream from boulders or some other obstruction that offers protection against strong current in streams.

After the nest has been completed the spawning begins. Eggs are deposited on the lake bottom where they are then fertilized by the male. The male defends the nest aggressively until the eggs hatch. He then guards the swarm of thousands of young, called fry, until their egg sacks are absorbed, which takes about a week. The young fish then disperse into cover like grass beds where they begin feeding on minute creatures in the water. As they grow, their prey size increases, they begin to take insects and minnows, and gradually begin to take small fish and crayfish. Adult bass eat many prey species, including smaller fish, small snakes, frogs, and sometimes even baby ducks.

The young bass has a perilous life as only a small percentage live long enough to grow to adulthood. They are prey to many species when tiny, including large fish, turtles and birds. But those that do survive become one of the top predators in the environment, and the most sought after gamefish in the Canada.

Double click to enlarge picture.

LOBSTERFEST 2011

We had another great Lobsterfest this year with our Clubski 30 friends. As usual, the lobsters were great and we enjoyed the socialization with the gang. The weather was a tad bit on the chilly side but we made the best of it.

Double click to enlarge picture.