Regional spawn calendar
Mid-Atlantic / Appalachian Watersheds spawn calendar.
17 species with documented spawn timing in Mid-Atlantic / Appalachian Watersheds. Spawn timing is driven by water temperature — these calendar windows reflect the typical years when water reaches each species' threshold.
All species
Mid-Atlantic / Appalachian Watersheds spawn windows.
- Largemouth BassMicropterus salmoidesTypical window: Mid-April – Late MayTypical window: Mid-April – Late May
Mid-Atlantic reservoirs and rivers show classic peak through May.
- Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieuTypical window: Late April – Late MayTypical window: Late April – Late May
Mid-Atlantic rivers (Susquehanna, Potomac) peak mid-May.
- WalleyeSander vitreusTypical window: Late March – Late AprilTypical window: Late March – Late April
Susquehanna and Potomac walleye peak April.
- SaugerSander canadensisTypical window: Late March – Late AprilTypical window: Late March – Late April
Susquehanna sauger run peaks April.
- MuskellungeEsox masquinongyTypical window: Mid-April – Mid-MayTypical window: Mid-April – Mid-May
Susquehanna and other Mid-Atlantic muskie waters peak in early May.
- Yellow PerchPerca flavescensTypical window: Late March – Mid-AprilTypical window: Late March – Mid-April
Mid-Atlantic reservoirs and lakes peak in early April.
- BluegillLepomis macrochirusTypical window: Mid-May – Late JulyTypical window: Mid-May – Late July
Mid-Atlantic waters peak from late May into June.
- Black CrappiePomoxis nigromaculatusTypical window: Mid-April – Late MayTypical window: Mid-April – Late May
Mid-Atlantic reservoirs peak in early to mid-May.
- White CrappiePomoxis annularisTypical window: Mid-April – Late MayTypical window: Mid-April – Late May
Mid-Atlantic reservoirs peak May.
- Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatusTypical window: Late May – Late JulyTypical window: Late May – Late July
Mid-Atlantic rivers and reservoirs peak June.
- Flathead CatfishPylodictis olivarisTypical window: Mid-June – Mid-JulyTypical window: Mid-June – Mid-July
Susquehanna and Potomac rivers peak late June.
- Blue CatfishIctalurus furcatusTypical window: Late May – Late JulyTypical window: Late May – Late July
Chesapeake tributary blue cats (Potomac, James, Rappahannock) peak June; non-native population.
- White BassMorone chrysopsTypical window: Late March – Late AprilTypical window: Late March – Late April
Susquehanna and other Mid-Atlantic rivers peak April.
- Striped Bass (Inland)Morone saxatilisTypical window: Mid-April – Late MayTypical window: Mid-April – Late May
Roanoke River striped bass run is iconic; peaks mid-April through May.
- Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykissTypical window: Late February – Late AprilTypical window: Late February – Late April
Mid-Atlantic wild rainbow streams peak in March–April.
- Brown TroutSalmo truttaTypical window: Mid-October – Late NovemberTypical window: Mid-October – Late November
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia limestone streams peak late October–early November.
- Brook TroutSalvelinus fontinalisTypical window: Late September – Late NovemberTypical window: Late September – Late November
Appalachian native brook trout (Shenandoah NP, WV) peak October–November.
Mid-Atlantic / Appalachian Watersheds spawn alerts.
Bield: Fish ties USGS gauges in your area to species spawn thresholds — get notified the day water temperature hits pre-spawn for your target.
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