Bass can spawn in main lakes and rivers or ascend tributaries to spawn. They typically migrate up the tributaries on periods of high water levels. This makes navigation easier, and allows bass to claim the highly-preferred gravel, stone and hard sand bottoms that have been flushed clean of silt by the high water's passage. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass nests are commonly in shallows, backwaters or tributaries of either streams or lakes. Nests are commonly close to shore in protected bays and creeks, or on the sides and tops of mid-water shoals.
Nests are usually in areas of quiet water.
Nests are usually in areas of very slow current. Nests are usually on the leeward shore or sheltered from prevailing winds. Male bass instinctively prefer not to build nests wherever turbidity may be a concern. Some studies indicate that a high water period may trigger bass migrations towards the spawning grounds. Once they've arrived on the scene, then relatively stable water levels are preferred before bass dig nests, drop eggs and hatch fry.