ינהאַלט
Walleye is a desirable fish for most fishermen. It is valued for its beneficial nutritional properties, as well as for the fishing process. Pulling fish out of the water is a pleasure. But there are certain behavioral features of a predator during the spawning period. Consider how pike perch spawning goes, and how it affects the bite.
How pike perch spawns in natural conditions
After wintering, pike perch enter areas rich in food and vegetation. The first half of spring is notable for the active behavior of the fish. She has a so-called zhor before spawning.
Although pike perch is known as a bottom dweller, it breeds in places unusual for it. He does not seek depth, but prefers calm, quiet places, with an abundance of vegetation and the absence of a current. It can even go to flooded areas. Where pike perch spawns, the average depth is 0,5-1 m.
The desire for vegetation is explained by the fact that the predator spawns on the stalks of reeds and other aquatic grasses. The laying of eggs in equipped pits is not excluded. The main thing is that the soil is clean (sandy or stone).
The population is divided into microgroups consisting of several males and one female. Before starting spawning, the female prepares the place, and the males are nearby. With its fins and tail, the fish cleans the roots and stems of plants from dirt. If soil is chosen as the breeding site, then all participants “dig” the hole. The result is an oval hole 30-60 cm long and up to 10 cm deep.
שפּאַנונג פּראָצעס
When pike perch spawns, it takes up a vertical position, head down, and begins rhythmic movements of the tail from side to side. This process can be observed even from the shore. This happens in the early morning hours before dawn.
On average, a large individual is able to lay 250-300 thousand eggs. Having done her job, the female goes to the depths and the male takes over. What is interesting is that only the largest predator pours milk. Swimming around the masonry, he begins the process of fertilization.
The second task of the male is the protection of future fry. In this case, the second largest pike perch may already be involved.
They protect their future generation quite responsibly. No one is allowed near the nest. At the same time, the male periodically cleans the place of silt and other pollution.
After the appearance of juveniles, the tasks of males are considered completed. Large individuals again go into deep water. Some roll into the sea because they cannot stand the muddy spring water. The fry become independent and from the first days they begin to feed on plankton, and a little later on other trifles. The predator grows very fast. Under favorable conditions, it can increase 600 grams of live weight per year, and after two, 1 kg each.
ספּאַנינג צייַט
To breed, the fanged one begins in the spring as soon as the water warms up to 8-10 degrees. Previously, only pike spawned. Basically, spawning begins in April, and in some regions even earlier. So, on the Volga and Kuban, it can begin at the end of March. If the winter dragged on, then at all in early June.
The first fry appear in cool water (12 degrees) after 10 days. In a warmer one (16-18 degrees), they hatch already on the fifth day.
The spawning period depends on the weather conditions of a particular region. The date may vary significantly. You can roughly find out when pike perch spawns according to local fishing rules. As you know, in order to preserve the population, this period is protected by law, namely, restrictions on fishing are introduced.
For example, in the central zone of Russia, the spawning ban begins in the first half of May and ends at the end of the month. In the Urals, you can not hunt pike perch in early summer and until the second half of June. In the south of the country, restrictions were introduced as early as April. Thus, we can conclude when spawning of pike perch begins and ends. In fact, the breeding season lasts quite a long time. On average 3-4 weeks.
For violation of the spawning ban, administrative and criminal liability is provided.
But this does not mean that you can not go fishing at all. The law only limits the tools, methods, places of fishing. For example, float fishing is allowed at the rate of one tackle per person. The number of hooks is limited (no more than two). It is forbidden to use a motorboat (even for recreational purposes), etc.
Behavior during spawning
The spawning process of zander, unlike other fish species, is rather unremarkable. Everything goes quietly and calmly. Outwardly, it is difficult to determine. Is it possible to observe their backs on the surface of the water (in everyday life, pike perch prefers to stay near the ground).
The main process takes place at night, and during the day the female rests and gains strength.
When pike perch spawn, fishing becomes practically useless. At this time, the fish is in the passive phase and does not even feed. Therefore, it is not at all possible to fish out a predator, and especially a large one. But still, there could be a bug. Usually juveniles of medium and small sizes come across on the hook.
About biting before and after spawning
Before breeding, bites are unstable and unpredictable. In general, the predator itself is quite complex in behavior. It is not easy to understand exactly when and what to catch him. During the spawning period, fishing can be a simple waste of time. It remains only to wait for the spawning to end.
Fishing begins to bring results and pleasure after breeding. True for a short time. Hungry, the pike perch goes into the “zhora” mode and begins to actively feed. The most difficult thing is to know this period. Experienced fishermen are guided by bleak (the main prey of zander). The end of spawning coincides with the period of activity of this lively silver fish. This is the best fishing time in the warm season. Then the zander stops pecking normally. Especially on hot summer days. He hides at depth in pits and depressions. Only with a decrease in temperature (in autumn) is fishing efficiency restored.