Regional spawn calendar
Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System spawn calendar.
14 species with documented spawn timing in Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System. Spawn timing is driven by water temperature — these calendar windows reflect the typical years when water reaches each species' threshold.
All species
Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System spawn windows.
- Largemouth BassMicropterus salmoidesTypical window: Mid-March – Mid-MayTypical window: Mid-March – Mid-May
Ozark reservoirs and Arkansas waters peak April.
- Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieuTypical window: Mid-April – Late MayTypical window: Mid-April – Late May
Ozark streams (Current, Buffalo, Eleven Point) peak May.
- Spotted BassMicropterus punctulatusTypical window: Late March – Late AprilTypical window: Late March – Late April
Ozark streams peak April.
- WalleyeSander vitreusTypical window: Mid-March – Late AprilTypical window: Mid-March – Late April
Arkansas and Missouri reservoir walleye peak April.
- SaugerSander canadensisTypical window: Mid-March – Mid-AprilTypical window: Mid-March – Mid-April
Arkansas River sauger peak March–April.
- BluegillLepomis macrochirusTypical window: Late April – Late JulyTypical window: Late April – Late July
Ozark and Arkansas waters peak in May–June.
- Redear SunfishLepomis microlophusTypical window: Late April – Late JulyTypical window: Late April – Late July
Ozark waters peak May–June.
- Black CrappiePomoxis nigromaculatusTypical window: Late March – Mid-MayTypical window: Late March – Mid-May
Mississippi reservoirs (Grenada, Sardis) peak April; iconic spring crappie destination.
- White CrappiePomoxis annularisTypical window: Mid-March – Late AprilTypical window: Mid-March – Late April
Mississippi delta reservoirs peak April.
- Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatusTypical window: Late May – Late JulyTypical window: Late May – Late July
Ozark and Arkansas waters peak June.
- Flathead CatfishPylodictis olivarisTypical window: Late May – Late JuneTypical window: Late May – Late June
Arkansas and Mississippi delta peak June.
- Blue CatfishIctalurus furcatusTypical window: Late May – Late JulyTypical window: Late May – Late July
Arkansas and Red rivers peak June.
- White BassMorone chrysopsTypical window: Mid-March – Late AprilTypical window: Mid-March – Late April
Arkansas River white bass run peaks April.
- Striped Bass (Inland)Morone saxatilisTypical window: Late March – Mid-MayTypical window: Late March – Mid-May
Arkansas and Red river system peaks April.
Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System 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.
Start free trial →