They are indeed fall spawners, now if they didn't get to spawn they will slowly absorb those eggs. When that's happening the eggs get paler and eventually become almost just shells before being fully absorbed. A few weeks ago I caught a female Brookie out of a pond that was releasing white eggs.
So...Indeed Seamonkey hit it pretty much dead on. Regardless of the spawning period...there are a couple things going on. First...and many of us have experienced this...the different stages of egg growth in females; from small 'lines' of eggs to full loose eggs filling the gut cavity.
Second, in that loose eggs in the cavity stage...NOT all eggs are dropped during spawning activity. In fact, it is common to not drop the full load and some species have been known to double down on redd building.
Third...fish may not spawn at all....and will, as Seamonkey says...try to re-absorb the eggs. This condition...yes, its a condition...is known as "spawnboundedness". In many instances, full spawnbound fish...will often die as the eggs absorption takes longer than a year...so...in the next spawning cycle, they are growing...and absorbing...and the energy demands are lethal.
Because of the colour you mention....I suspect some form of the above is what you are seeing (old eggs from not complete spawning or spawnboundedness).
King Joe Outa Here!
