Thread: Where do crappie do the deed?

Yes...No....Maybe. Did I cover all the bases? lol Each lake is different and the crappies will adapt and find something they like. And the crappies aren't all the same either, so some fish will want wood, some will want a combination of things. You found some spots that I would never pass up. Look for more....but also check spots where there is chunk rock (rip rap?), pea gravel, brush, transition areas (mud to firm bottom, or where gravel/rock stop and dirt starts up). Depending on rise/fall of your lake, the fish may spawn in 6" all the way to 20' of water. Clarity has an affect as well....the clearer the water, the deeper they may try to spawn. What you found IS a honey spot, or it isn't, or some days it is, and some days it isn't.....

Here is some pretty good reading that might help you, and they did mention grave bottoms as bedding spots:

Crappie Fishing During Spring's Spawn

Originally Posted by scrat

Here is some pretty good reading that might help you, and they did mention grave bottoms as bedding spots:

Crappie Fishing During Spring's Spawn

Grave bottoms???
Yikes!!!

They have to spawn on hard bottom or wood , eggs won't hatch on mud or silt. I find them on hard bottoms with gravel or wood here. Some of my favorite spots is wood pallet stake beds on hard bottom humps if lake stays normal.

Nimrod is right they got to have hard bottom. Rock sand pee gravel wood and more. You will probably catch some on the pots you found but keep in mind a male crappie will keep every thing run off his bed even other crappie so there may only a few on that spot. Some times if the spot is very desirable they will be more in a given spot. This is why you get the answer yes no maybe.

Also remember that BIG MALES get the pick of beds...small males are normally in the rocks or less desirable areas (with nest robbers), while big males may have a nest fanned next to 1 large boulder and nothing else around...this helps the BIG male to guard the fry until they can fend for themselves. Normally BIG FISH are not communal during the spawn, unless they have no other option!

Thanks for all the advice guys. Warm water is on its way!

This is so true, I've just been out checking out gravel banks. The water is down about 3' below normal, so I'm trying to find stumps and logs that will be holding the biggest fish next month. All the popular areas get fished hard, but a small protected area with gravel and a big stump or two can produce a lot of fish.