Catfish are one of the freshwater fish that have a peculiar spawning behavior. The spawning process takes place in secure areas underwater, which can be a pond or river, to protect the fry (newly hatched catfish). The male catfish can become mature to participate in spawning as from three or four years. However, females develop faster than male catfish. During the spawning season, the male catfish find a suitable place for spawning. This is usually parts of the river such as cracks in-between or beneath rocks, dense brush piles, or other places the fry will be safe, protected from predators.
The females deposit thousands of eggs during spawning; these eggs are fertilized by the male catfish. Averagely, the catfish eggs hatch after ten days, depending on the catfish species. The male catfish stays behind to protect the fry until they are strong enough to swim away from the spawning zone.
When Catfish Spawn?
Catfish spawn early spring or during the first few weeks of summer. The reason for this timing is the temperature of the water which is usually warmer at this period. The warm temperature of the water aids the fertilization process and enables a larger number of the eggs to hatch in the water. This is why most catfish species will not spawn until the water has become remarkably warmer.
Spawning season for catfish is a great time to land more fish. Anglers particularly plan their major fishing expeditions during spawning season when the adult catfish gather in the shallow parts of the rivers or lakes. However, not all catfish species spawn at the same time. It is therefore important to note the behavior of catfish in your area to determine the spawning season accurately.
In some regions, anglers are encouraged to release the younger adults if they are caught during the spawning season. This is done to promote the catfish population in the river. After all, there are more than enough adult catfish to catch during the spawning season.
Catching catfish during spawning season is easier because of the large number of adults that converge in the spawning area. It is also a great time for amateur anglers to try their fishing skills and improve. There are high chances of detecting bites on your lures; however, this may not always be the case. If you are not feeling frequent bites on your lures, you are probably in the wrong area.
Relocating to another part of the river can make a huge difference in the number of catfish you land during the spawning season. You can also use fishing equipment such as the catfish finder to detect the presence of large adult catfish spawning beneath the water. Another tip for finding catfish already spawning is the obvious hiding places in the river such as rocky areas, or thick brush piles.
It also helps to use the best lures during this period of catfishing. The fish are hungry and need to feed even during the spawning season. This makes your lures more attractive. In some areas, anglers already know when the catfish in the region spawn. They create brush piles or places rocks in particular areas to provide perfect spawning zones. This also makes it easier to land more catfish because the anglers already know where they are spawning.
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