Are there any accepted temperature measurements for how fish react? Are anglers waiting for the spring water temps to hit a specific number before they go deep or shallow? Is every lake different or is there a norm that's all bass anglers go by?

Huge topic. Depends on the lake/region you are fishing, water quality/color, temperature, etc.. Get your hands on a book entitled, "Spoonplugging" by Elwood "Buck" Perry. In this one small book, most of your questions will be answered as to water, weather, structure and bass habits. It's a very good starting point.

There are also some great "articles" at the top of this forum to review. Good Luck!

When water temps are rising, and touch off at the 55-60° range for the first time in spring, get ready. They should be active.

In the south, the early wave of the spawn begins when water temperatures are in the 58-65 degree range. This is when the bass will begin to find places to make beds and actually make them. They may not have eggs on there beds around this time, but they will be sitting on their beds and at this point they will begin to be very defensive of their beds. This spring has been pretty different compared to past years, I was fishing a tournament in the middle of march and actually caught all of my fish sight fishing and I found them on their beds. The whole winter I was not expecting to find this until mid April or early May, but I was way off.

Thanks guys. I think I'll check out that book too.

You must first know the seasonal patterns then everything else comes into play

There is a lot of dynamics within every waterway LMB live in, however water temperature is a very important factor to consider. Why? bass are cold blooded animals and the water controls their body temperature; it's the same as the water they are in. The metabolic rate or need for food is controlled on the water temperature. The basses survival depends on staying in water that will have the right dissolved oxygen levels; not lower than 39.4 degrees or higher than 90 degrees; DO levels 3 to 12 mg/L.

Starting at the winter seasonal period when the water cold; 39 to 50 degrees, then transitioning to pre spawn; 50 to 60 degrres, spawn; 60 to 67 degrees, post spawn; 67 to 70 degrees; summer; 70 to 85 degrees, Fall; 70 to 55 degrees. The ideal water temp for LMB is 70 degrees with DO level of 8 mg/L.

The above temps are based on the depth of water the bass live in, not surface temps.

Tom