Bass fingerlings can be trained to eat prepared rations under certain circumstances. Spawning Bass usually will spawn when one year old if they are at least 8-10 inches long. Males select a nest site in the spring after water temperature has stabilized about 60 degrees. Bass normally spawn in water of 1 to 4 feet near shore, but nesting has been observed as deep as 20 feet in clear water. A shallow, circular nest is constructed by sweeping away debris to about twice the male's body length in diameter.
Hard substrates are preferred.
Males normally guard the area about 6 feet around the nest. When a ripe female joins the male, they slowly circle the nest, side by side. Spawning occurs with both fish tilted laterally so that their vents are close. Both fish shudder as eggs and sperm are released simultaneously. The male may turn and check on each release of eggs before resuming spawning position.