Creatures Around The Lake June 2025



 For the past 15+ years, in the same shallow location in Haller Lake, a male largemouth bass has made a nest. This nest is usually flat, round, and cleared of most debris right down to a smooth surface underwater. After the female lays thousands of yellow/orange eggs in the nest, the fry hatch in 2-5 days, depending on the water temperature.

Last year, when looking into a shallow, sunlit area of the lake, I saw thousands of these comma sized- newly hatched fish swimming all together in a school. As I leaned closer to see them, a large male appeared under them to discourage me from getting too close. Apparently, the males protect the young for several weeks after the fry hatch.
Largemouth bass are carnivorous, freshwater fish that mainly eat insects and fish (including each other). They've also been known to eat frogs, salamanders, worms, snakes and mice. After their young are more than an inch long, they will eat them, too. They've been known to live for up to 20 years!
Late April to early July is when spawning typically occurs- so now is the time to watch for the schools of newborns.

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