taken from crappie 101 NOTE the water temp should be the one about 4 to 10 feet down not the one on the top 1 or 2 feet layer where most temp gages are measuring as the very top will be warmer always than the near bottom layer :Water Temperature: 55 Degrees
Expect the bite to get more aggressive as crappies begin feeling “the urge to merge” and feed heavily before spawning. Schools of baitfish continue to be a primary location factor as crappies fatten up before spawning. Shallow ditches veering off the creek channel and running toward shallow spawning coves can hold huge fish. Work the creek channel with curly-tail grubs or minnows, keying on brushy cover in the 6 to 12 foot zone. Crappie may be as shallow as 1-3 feet deep along these structures.

Water Temperature: 60 Degrees
Male crappies fan out the nest while the females hang around outside the cover waiting for the water temperature to get a degree or two warmer before moving in on the beds, and now is a good time to load the boat with oversize fish. Some crappie may have already started the spawn if shallower water is warmer.

Water Temperature: 65 Degrees
Spawning should be in full swing now, but some will still be in a pre spawn mode. If you aren’t catching quality fish on likely spawning cover, back off and target pre spawn crappies instead. Spawning takes place on woody cover such as: brush piles, stake beds, etc... in the upper ends of brushy coves and creek arms, in 2 to 8 feet deep, and some as shallow as 6 inches deep depending on the lake's water clarity. Pre spawn fish will be in three to six feet of water, but will chase minnows shallower.

Water Temperature: 70 Degrees
Some crappies will be done spawning, while others are finally moving onto their beds. Keep fishing as the spawn is still going strong.