Moon Phase, Water Temp and the SPAWN!!

[Jolly]

Over the last few years, the spawn on my home lake really seems to hit it big during mid April. Last year the full moon in April hit on the 14th. The previous year, the 24th. Both winters were almost identically mild.

I specifically remember 2 years ago, the spawn on our lake was really in full swing all over the lake by the 20th or so (near the full moon). The water temp was 68 (+ or - 2 degrees). It really began to start up during the full moon in March.

Last year, the spawn was really on when the full moon hit on the 14th. The water temp was about 66 (+ or - 2 degrees). They were all over the bank and the fishing was great.

This year has been a particularly harsh, cold winter. As I write this, I realize the low tonight is 19! One would think that this cold would push the spawn back a few weeks. However, we were at the lake on Wednesday, with water temps around 48 and we caught fish at dawn with air temps in the 40's burning red rattle traps. It seems to me, the fish are about 2 or 3 weeks ahead of schedule. That would, again, put them spawning right around the full moon.

Question:

Is the spawn in your opinion based more off Moon Phase or Water Temp? I really think that moon phase has more to do with it (from above) once the water reaches about 60 degrees. Let me know what you think!

Thanks,

Jolly