>How do you determine that fish(bass,others too) are actually
>spawning? What triggers the fish into spawning behaviors-water
>temp, day length? How do you determine the sex of a black
>bass? What is the maximum size of a male bass? I've seen posts
>where male fish were spotted, how did they know they were
>males? How does varying water levels affect spawn?

With a trained eye and a little experience you can actually tell the difference between male and female bass. If you really would like to know, you examine the vent, it will be either round or ovaI. Round, male, oval, female.

The largest male bass I've seen during many years of electro-shock surveys, was a six pounder.

The actual spawn(not nest building)is triggered by a stable water temperature(1-2 weeks)around a full moon. Temps above 62 degrees are ideal. The warmer the temp the faster the eggs will develop. Normaly 7-14 days. And bass spawn at different times of the year depending on were they are located and how big the lake. Bass in the northern(warmer)end, may spawn in March and bass in the southern(colder)end, may spawn in May, or May thru July, ect. Dave(fisheries manager).