Sheepshead are a bit of a mystery when it comes to spawning. They’re found everywhere from freshwater mangrove swamps to offshore reefs (and everywhere in between).
In this article, I’ll go over a few key spawning indicators, and answer some commonly asked questions so you can find the big schools of fish and have more success on the water.
Table of Contents
- When Do Sheepshead Spawn?
- Where Do Sheepshead Spawn?
- What Water Temperature Do Sheepshead Fish Like?
- Do Sheepshead Fish Swim in Schools?
- How Old Do Sheepshead Live?
- How Fast Do Sheepshead Grow?
- Related Posts
When Do Sheepshead Spawn?
Sheepshead will spawn during the months of February, March, and April. Depending on the location, this can vary based on water temperature. Sheepshead in the northern portion of their range will typically spawn later in the spring with those found in the south spawning earlier.
Sheepshead are a unique looking fish that can be found in coastal Atlantic waters. They range as far north as Novia Scotia and as far south as Brazil.
One of the best times to target and catch these fish is during their spawning season, which typically begins in early spring.
The most important factor for the sheepshead spawn is the water temperature. Once water temperatures start to hover around 70 degrees, you know that the spawn will be starting.
This is why populations in warmer climates tend to spawn sooner than populations where the water takes longer to warm.
Where Do Sheepshead Spawn?
Sheepshead can spawn in groups as large as 10,000 individuals, although groups of a few hundred are more common. When they get ready to spawn, these fish will migrate from wherever they are to deeper waters, generally offshore and around some kind of structure.
If you live in an area with access to nearshore reefs in 15-60 feet of water, these are prime spawning grounds. Anything from natural hard bottom, to rubble piles, and artificial reefs will attract and hold sheepshead during the spawn.
Sheepshead prefer to congregate and spawn in deeper waters a little offshore. This is done near or around underwater structures such as offshore reefs, jetties, and oil platforms. They can also be found spawning at the mouths of deep channels and rock piles.
During the spawn in these deeper waters, eggs are fertilized and released to the surface. From here, the eggs and larvae will drift into estuaries and bays by the ocean’s tides and currents.
This is where they will eventually hatch and grow and begin their life cycle.
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What Water Temperature Do Sheepshead Fish Like?
Sheepshead can comfortably live in water temperatures of 50 to 80 degrees Farenheight. They prefer, however, warmer water temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Farenheight or even warmer in the tropical locations where they live.
Sheepshead can be found in many different types of areas and conditions. Because of this, the water temperatures can vary greatly in the waters that these fish call home.
They are a very hardy and durable fish that can withstand big temperature swings, rough seas, and low levels of salinity.
Do Sheepshead Fish Swim in Schools?
Sheepshead can be found living alone or in small groups for most of the year. When food sources are more limited, these groups can grow in size. They will typically group around their preferred habitat of underwater structures.
During the spawning season, however, sheepshead will always gather in very large schools. These schools can range in number from a few hundred fish to tens of thousands of individuals. After the spawn is over, they will typically return to their usual habits and smaller groups.
Depending on the area and the available food sources, it is not uncommon to see schools of 20 to 50 fish or sheepshead swimming alone.
The spawn is the most reliable time to find large schools of sheepshead…perfect for spearfishing or chumming and catching.
How Old Do Sheepshead Live?
The average lifespan of a sheepshead varies depending on where it lives. In most areas, sheepshead can live to be around 20 to 25 years old. The average age of most sheepshead that are caught by anglers are anywhere from 6 to 10 years old.
Although sheepshead can live to be 20 or even 25 years old, this is not very common. Most sheepshead will only live to a maximum age of 12 to 15 years of age.
The vast majority of sheepshead will reach maturity at the age of 2, with all sheepshead ages 3 to 4 being fully mature.
How Fast Do Sheepshead Grow?
Sheepshead can reach a maximum size of around 30 inches and weigh close to 22 pounds. This is very uncommon, however, and the average size of an adult sheepshead will be anywhere from 1 to 8 pounds and 14 to 18 inches in length.
Sheepshead will grow rather fast up until the age of 6, after which their growth rate slows tremendously. After hatching, the extremely small fry will stay in estuaries and grass beds until they reach around 2 inches in length. This is when they will venture to underwater structures with the larger adults.
After their first year, most sheepshead will be around 10 inches in length. At age two, this average length will be 12 to 14 inches. This growth rate will vary depending on the average population of sheepshead in an area as well as available food sources.
See Also: Can Sheepshead Live In Freshwater? You May Be Surprised!
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