crappie spawn

[fire-tiger]

Looking for some info on what water temp will bring crappie into the flats where they spawn on my favorite lake. Have one great spot for some big ones that I have never really timed, only have been there at the right time.

This year I would like to be there when it starts and I know the temp will have alot to do with it. Thanks in advance!!

[Westlakedrive]

I am not 100% sure but I believe its 50-55 degrees.

[fish eater]

Crappies actually spawn, as in doin the deed, when the water temp gets between 55 and 60 degrees. Usually at night. A female can fertilize as many as 3 nests. Healthy males can fertilize up to 15 nests. Since cals are nest builders, the pre-spawn activity begins right after ice out when they stage in the deeper channel edges close to the shallows. As soon as the water temp hits 40-44 degrees on those nice sunny spring days, the cals will start to move into the shallows to build the nests. The males develop a stripe down their snout, and begin to turn dark black. After spawning the females split, the males guard the eggs and fry.

[subocto]

not sure on water temps, but on a small inland lake i fish I find them shallow in may

[aslongasitpullsback]

if your favorite lake, has any in or out going creeks with alot of windfalls try them with 1/32 oz. jigs and curlytails[charchuse berkly power grubs].when the water hits that 50-60 degree temp.:fish:I allways do good around that wood in the early spring......

[tdduckman]

According to IN-fishermen

Crappies spawn in the lower 60s

However Males in particular are in the spawning area from the low 50s on, the females will be close by a few feet deeper.


By the way crappies spawn 2 feet deeper than the water clarity.

In other words most fish will spawn at 4 feet deep if the water is clear enough to see to the bottom in 2 feet of water.

In some places with very clear water crappie will spawn very deep, but you may still see them hunting food in the shallows.


When you catch a very dark crappie you will know the spawn is on as the males get very dark at this time, some almost turn black.


TD

[Connor4501]

not sure on water temps, but on a small inland lake i fish I find them shallow in may

:yeahthat: Start hitting the flats hard around the first of May and you should hit paydirt...Keeping in mind that bad cold fronts will move them out to the edges...