How do LMB get into creeks?

[Other.]

I was talking to a guy here on bass resource over AIM. Well we were talking and he thought it was kind of weird how large mouth got into one of the creeks I fish in and how are they able to survive?

The only thing I can think of would be some one put them there and the large mouth were able to adapt. But I do not really think that was the case. Some one care to explain?

[Tin]

Does the creek you fish lead into or out of a lake or pond nearby, perhaps a bigger creek/river?

[Catt]

Why would a creek be any different from a river, lake, or any natural body of water?

[Other.]

Why would a creek be any different from a river, lake, or any natural body of water?

Because as far as I know large mouth do not like moving water. There are several pockets of deep still water but moving upstream must be a pain in the   for them.

[Catt]

Who asked the large mouth what type of water they prefer? Nature has a way of adapting to their environment; example Red Fish or Strippers living in fresh water and bass living in brackish water.

[John J.]

Indeed, also like tin2win said if the creek backs up into a river or large body of water, they may like the creek for spawning.

Now it depends on what kind of creek we are talking about here. Is this a shallow, calm creek like you find in the back of some fast creeks or rivers, or is this a fast moving creek?

If it is a slow moving creek, I am pretty sure the bass spawn in these areas and then move out to deeper water during the summer. Or the hide out in the shallow, slow moving creek to find food.

If it is a fast moving one, they enjoy these also, especially small mouth. The fast currents allow food items (crayfish, etc.) to be brought downstream to them. The bass hide in the slow eddies and wait for food to whiz by the current, they then dart out to grab the food item.

In other words, instead of hunting for food, the bass basically just wait for dinner to be brought to them. JMO.

[fishnaddiction]

i heard of largemouth in shallow natural lakes buring themselves into mud and keeping there body temp. to help them survive   i barely have any largemouth in the creek i fish  and i often wonder the same thing.  

[FHUAngler]

it may be rumored that LMB do not like fast moving water, but i have seen MANY 4 and 5 lb largemouths caught on live bait in the tailraces at the dam. And this is FAST moving water. These people were fishin for stripe and drum, and pulling out lunker largemouths. So I know that at least SOME of them like fast water.

[MemphisFisherman]

thats correct, LMB don't really prefer moving water.  But if they don't have a chance then thats what they got to deal with.

[grimlin]

There was this one lake in TX before it got contaminated with toxic waste from a military plant there was this small creek where crayfish,minnows and occasionally a bluegill and small bass were found swimming there. Since it got shut down all the creeks dried up.I used to live 5 minutes walking distance from that creek behind a school.I used to fish for those crayfish with a string tied up with some bacon.Those crayfish were hugh!.  

Now they don't even want people swimming in that lake anymore.When i was littler i had this oscar that i let go in that lake.Very idiot dumb move on my part...i was young. To this day i wonder if that fish ever survived.

[Garnet]

Jay Yelas won his Bassmasters Classic rite near a dam with wicked current fishing trees to break the current.

Largies like all fish relate to current. Some just relate to faster current.

Salmon and Stealhead main current and then walleyes in the main current but behind something then Smallies around the edges behind things and just in front theres a slack water spot.

Current is also fast on top and can be still down deep or near still.

Then brown trout love the slack water between your feet and the edge of the current.

Then largies will be along the banks  as close to slack water as possible. If you were to fish the current edge and breaks you may never know largies are in your creek or river.

This is just general river rule theres lots of in my creek it happens this way.

Most of the creeks and rivers that run into the great lakes have all these species and a few more carp,perch,crappie, sheeps head,pike and you have to fish the creek/river for that species likes or you may never catch one.

Garnet

[Guest avid]

Largemouth bass will find their way into creeks the same way they find themselves in any body of water that is not stocked.

1. flooding - it will deposit fish, fry and egss from one body of water to another. Flooded culverts are bass highways.

2. birds. Shore birds will wade through the shallows often eating eggs and having eggs and mud stick between their toes, then they fly to another body of water and deposit the eggs.

3. Humans self stocking little creeks and ponds to create "secret" fishing holes.

4. They swim

[Other.]

Indeed, also like tin2win said if the creek backs up into a river or large body of water, they may like the creek for spawning.

Now it depends on what kind of creek we are talking about here. Is this a shallow, calm creek like you find in the back of some fast creeks or rivers, or is this a fast moving creek?

If it is a slow moving creek, I am pretty sure the bass spawn in these areas and then move out to deeper water during the summer. Or the hide out in the shallow, slow moving creek to find food.

If it is a fast moving one, they enjoy these also, especially small mouth. The fast currents allow food items (crayfish, etc.) to be brought downstream to them. The bass hide in the slow eddies and wait for food to whiz by the current, they then dart out to grab the food item.

In other words, instead of hunting for food, the bass basically just wait for dinner to be brought to them. JMO.

Well I guess that explains why I brought them out from a deep pool behind  a trees and rocks that block out the current.

Thanks for clearing that up guys.

[Catt]

This is Toro Creek below Toledo Bend which explains where the bass come from but it is by no means slow moving. The 1st picture is at the spill way, the 2nd is midway, & the 3rd is at the end of the rapids; believe it or not the most bass are caught in the rapids. The bass hold in eddies and dart out to attack bait.

[fishfordollars]

Avid X 2. He pretty much nailed it.

[Mobydick]

I have always wondered that too. I caught a 16 1/2 inch largemouth out of the crick were I fish. The first and only largemouth in 4 years.

[Big T]

As crazy as this sounds I have read several articles in local fishing magazines on Bass being in local retention ponds. Alot of these ponds are isolated from the river. They do flush into the sewage system that goes to a treatment plant. One local biologist suggested that the fish were introdoced due to birds, mainly seagulls landing in a body of water where fish eggs wer at and transporting the eggs to another pond where they rub off in the water a later hatch. I am not sure how accurate this is, but it sounds logical.

Big T

[ejtaylor822]

Largemouth bass will find their way into creeks the same way they find themselves in any body of water that is not stocked.

1. flooding - it will deposit fish, fry and egss from one body of water to another. Flooded culverts are bass highways.

2. birds. Shore birds will wade through the shallows often eating eggs and having eggs and mud stick between their toes, then they fly to another body of water and deposit the eggs.

3. Humans self stocking little creeks and ponds to create "secret" fishing holes.

4. They swim

Agree with all the above - especially number 3 - that was my thought when I saw this. When we bought this place years ago my neighbor was pulling out SMBs out of the (two acre) pond. There is no creek leading into it. Someone had to stock it at some point. Of course, I have not seen a SMB come out of the pond in almost two years.

[Pencil Pusher]

Where do you think LMB lived before the Corps of Engineers, TVA and other agencies started building all the reservoirs that we call "lakes"? Creeks and rivers.

[Long Mike]

Well, I've done a little research, and I learned that when the bass recognized that all those reservoirs were being built, they started buying up all of the prime structure in the lakes.  Some of them made a fortune, and now the rich ones take helicopter vacations to the small streams and ponds.  

[Guest avid]

Well, I've done a little research, and I learned that when the bass recognized that all those reservoirs were being built, they started buying up all of the prime structure in the lakes. Some of them made a fortune, and now the rich ones take helicopter vacations to the small streams and ponds.

I've seen those little helicopters Mike.   Some people say they are dragon flies, but we know better!!

[Long Mike]

Avid, it is obvious that you and I are taking the same medication.   ;D

[Shenanigans]

I have never heard of a bass having a problem with current. Matter of fact I work the current pattern out here on the Delta to catch the old bucket mouth! Anyone ever fish the James river in VA? The most important thing about that creek is that there are Bass in it. C&R and keep the place clean, they will keep coming!

/me

[ga_hawghauler]

on the upper end of my home lake there is a fairly good size river that comes from the dam. the water is pretty much always steady moving and i have caught some of my biggest bass out of this river also have won a few tourneys like this. These fish has learned to adapt to this moving water becuase each year baitfish migrate upward toward the dam and these bass just lay in the pockets and wait on a passing meal.