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Bield:Fish
Single-region spawn timing

Redear Sunfish spawn timing in Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System.

Lepomis microlophusLate April – Late July

Ozark waters peak May–June.

Calendar & temperature

JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Outside spawn windowMarMar — Pre-spawn — water rising toward 64°FAprApr — Peak spawn (68–72°F)MayMay — Peak spawn (68–72°F)JunJun — Peak spawn (68–72°F)JulJul — Peak spawn (68–72°F)AugAug — Post-spawn — water at 78°F+SepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
Typical window: Late April – Late July
32°37°42°47°52°57°62°67°72°77°82°87°Peak 68–72°F
Pre-spawn — best fishingPeak spawn — conservationPost-spawn — recovery feeding·Dashed line = peak spawn boundaries

Phase-by-phase

Pre-Spawn

Trophy fishing window
60–64°F

Redear stage similarly to bluegill but typically in deeper water and more structure-tied habitat.

Live worms and small jigs near hard-bottom structure produce pre-spawn redear.

Spawn

Conservation window
64–78°F (peak 68–72°F)

Active spawning behavior. Colonial bed spawners like bluegill but typically spawn slightly earlier in the same waters and use slightly deeper bed sites.

Redear populations are robust where present. As with bluegill, primary conservation concern is in private pond settings.

Conservation context

Redear populations are robust where present. As with bluegill, primary conservation concern is in private pond settings.

Post-Spawn

Recovery feeding
78–86°F (~7 days)

Like bluegill, redear may have multiple spawn cycles per season.

Bed fishing periodically produces throughout summer in southeastern waters.

Summer Pattern

Standard patterns
Above 86°F

Fish disperse to summer habitat and feeding patterns. Spawn cycle complete until following year.

Standard summer fishing tactics apply.

Full Redear Sunfish spawn guide →Full Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System spawn calendar →