Crappie "usually" start spawning when water temps get/stay above 60deg ... but pre-spawn fish can be found around the banks feeding when water temps are above 50deg. But, those are ballpark numbers, as every body of water can be different and changing weather patterns can stop or slow their progression towards the spawning banks (as can fast falling/rising water levels).
It's also been "said" that the bigger fish come in first, then the smaller year class fish. And the females don't spend a lot of time on the beds, but just run in and drop and run back out to deeper water holding spots, then repeat the process (in different beds) until they've spawned out or conditions delay/stop the spawn. That's why you normally find mostly males on the bank during the whole process. Not all of the Crappie will have developed their eggs/milt at the same time, so they can & do come & go in waves, sometimes. Spawning can be over & done in a week or so (under excellent conditions), but can also take several weeks if conditions vary to any great degree.
Reply With Quote