Bass Lesions or Abrasions,Lacerations from Spawning...?? (see photos)

[Crow Horse]

The bass bite was really on today and quite a few bass had either lesions or abrasions. If the wounds aren't lesions, would they be the result of excavating spawning beds?

[Team9nine]

Likely not from the physical activity of nesting itself, but the stress and hormonal changes combined with typically increasing water temps often make fish more susceptible to a host of diseases and/or infections (parasitic, red sore disease, or others). Hard to say for certain without pathology, but you should see it clear out over the near term as fish finish spawning and recover.

[Woody B]

I think what you're seeing on that Bass is more than just bed making but I've seen it quite a bit.  I wonder if some of it comes damaged slime due to improper handling.  (from being previously caught)

 

I think the typical spawning "scars" are worn, bloody tail, from making and clearing the bed.  Seen in the first picture.  I also believe this is mostly in males, but occasionally seen in a female. 

 

The other thing I consider typical spawning scars are......side rubs.  I was told this comes from the actually spawning, and is usually seen in females.  You can see it in the second picture.  

 

I'm not an expert.  Feel free to disagree with or correct me if I'm wrong.  

 

 

 

[Crow Horse]

Thanks for the replies. What you guys are saying makes sense. I sent the photos to the regional fisheries biologist who I communicate with from time to time and I'm awaiting his reply. His take on it should be interesting.

[gim]

I caught a sizable smallmouth last week that I believe showed serious health issues from the spawning process, even though I don't believe the majority of fish had even begun spawning.  It was rough looking.  If you look at the photo, you can see the dorsal fin worn through and the tail pretty beat up.  There are also a couple of marks on the back.

 

 

[Team9nine]

37 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

Thanks for the replies. What you guys are saying makes sense. I sent the photos to the regional fisheries biologist who I communicate with from time to time and I'm awaiting his reply. His take on it should be interesting.

Please report back if he replies. Will be curious to hear what he says. Thx

[J._Bricker]

@Crow Horse, I’m also curious as to the fisheries biologist’s reply. I just attributed similar bruises and scales that look like miniature potato chips on bass to chemical burns due to overuse of pellet herbicides by the state.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

When stressed Bass can turn pinkish in certain areas, you'll see this at weigh ins quite often.      

 

Poor critters really get thrown through the ringer during the spawn.   Better than being a Salmon I guess though 😁

[WRB]

Spawning can be life threatening when bass are shallow water from predators including man.

After the spawn or post spawn the bass are tired and more vulnerable to injury and a few older bass don’t survive.

The bass in the photos has puncture wounds from either a heron or other predator imo.

Tom 

[Crow Horse]

I just heard back from the fisheries biologist. Here's his response:

 

Not good for those bass. Lesions mean they have succumbed to a secondary infection where their immune system has been compromised by one of more factors and the stress is not letting them heal. Tough to do in a bath of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. We typically see this more often in urban areas, esp in flowing waters with sewage. However, any fish that loses its slim layer (for whatever reason) it is susceptible to infection. The source could be anything from live bait to an unwashed vessels/gear, or any outside introduction (likely human caused); but spawning stress is also a big killer of fishes; on top of rapid changes in water temp, where sometimes we think can cause a harmful release of chemicals/metals already in the substrate. Always tough to find the exact causes of any disease outbreak, or fish kill.

Thanks for the update.

[Robinhood21]

This girl rubbed half of the bottom of her tail off.  Was literally bleeding in my boat