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Principle of an artificial spawning ground
An artificial black-bass spawning ground is generally a container (crate, box) filled with gravel and possibly sand, placed on the bottom in a shallow area.
Container: untreated plywood panel or wooden crate, approx. 50âeuros100 cm side x 10âeuros20 cm height.
Bottom perforated with holes (2âeuros3 cm) to allow water to circulate and keep the box pressed to the bottom.âeuros
Filling: 1âeuros2 cm rolled gravel, sometimes mixed with a little sand; about 3 x 5 L buckets per spawning bed.
Role: provide a clean, stable substrate where the male can dig/form the nest, attract the female, then ventilate and guard the eggs.
Case manufacture
Cut plywood panels (marine if possible) or use untreated wooden crates (poplar), approx. 60 × 60 × 20 cm.
Drill several holes in the bottom (2âeuros3 cm). Add handles if necessary to facilitate launching.âeuros
Filling
Place crates on edge, fill with 1âeuros2 cm rolled gravel, with a little sand if desired.
Check that the gravel is flush with the edge, without any large sharp elements.âeuros
Pose in the water.
Wait until late winter/early spring, before the breeding season (water around 15°C).
Additional features
Spawning grounds aren't enough: you also have to think about fry survival and disturbance.
- Aquatic herbaceous plants: plant milfoil, elodea (beware of the risk of invasion), pondweed or other suitable grasses a little offshore to provide shelter and food for juveniles and resting areas for females.âeuros
- Caches: bundles of branches, inert wooden or concrete structures, fibre-lined boards, etc., to create a network of refuges.âeuros
- Tranquility: if possible, temporarily reserve spawning areas during reproduction (fishing banned or severely restricted), to maximize the success of parental care by the male.
