Thread: ??? for D10 on gray crappie eggs

I lucked out and got a limit of 30 crappie last Friday. When I cleaned the fish, 26 were females all which had eggs. However, some of the eggs - maybe half the females- seemed underdeveloped and almost gray in color. I talked to a buddy that said he had seen the same thing. Water temp is upper 60's. Some say they are re-absorbing their eggs. Are these fish not going to spawn? Seemed that the bigger the fish, the grayer the eggs and the more underdeveloped. Why would this happen if that is the case?

Opinions appreciated.

It sounds like they are reabsorbing the eggs. When optimal conditions for spawning are not present when the eggs are ripe, some species of fish, such as bass and crappie reabsorb the eggs and put that energy into growth rather than going through the motions and wasting the eggs (energy). Often this happens during springs like this year when temperatures have been up and down a lot. I was working on two lakes yesterday in central Arkansas and the water temps were 80 degrees. It went from 65 to 80 in a blink of an eye. This means that there will be below average crappie spawns around the state this year. But don’t worry, this is a good thing. Crappie fisheries need below average spawning years to increase growth rates of the crappie that are already in the lake. Thanks for the question.


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Originally Posted by D10

It sounds like they are reabsorbing the eggs. When optimal conditions for spawning are not present when the eggs are ripe, some species of fish, such as bass and crappie reabsorb the eggs and put that energy into growth rather than going through the motions and wasting the eggs (energy). Often this happens during springs like this year when temperatures have been up and down a lot. I was working on two lakes yesterday in central Arkansas and the water temps were 80 degrees. It went from 65 to 80 in a blink of an eye. This means that there will be below average crappie spawns around the state this year. But don’t worry, this is a good thing. Crappie fisheries need below average spawning years to increase growth rates of the crappie that are already in the lake. Thanks for the question.


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So how do the top Crappie lakes in the country grow bigger Crappie with the larger than normal minimal length regulations with this theory? It seems as if they would over populate.

Thanks D10. I'm afraid we are having a very minimal spawn on Dardanelle this year based on what the eggs look like that I am seeing.

Originally Posted by goblerblaster

Thanks D10. I'm afraid we are having a very minimal spawn on Dardanelle this year based on what the eggs look like that I am seeing.

I agree. I’ve caught over 100 crappie in the last week on Dardanelle and 98% of the females had eggs.


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Originally Posted by CMelder

I agree. I’ve caught over 100 crappie in the last week on Dardanelle and 98% of the females had eggs.


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Some still have some a few eggs but bulk of eggs already laid , rest left are being absorbed . They seem to have had a good spawn . They were busting at the seams with eggs and now just have what's left . They were spawning over a week ago . Saw them dumping eggs as they were swung into the boats . Gobblerblaster does not understand egg sacks never completely empty .

I am sure I don't understand. That's why I'm asking the ????. I know when they have 2 egg sacks are as big as my thumb that makes me think they have'nt got rid of them. But, Like I say,,, I am no crappie spawning expert. I'll just try to catch my limit of 8 or 10 a day whether they have spawned or not, May be time for a road trip to western Yell county this weekend !!

Originally Posted by Hammmerhead

So how do the top Crappie lakes in the country grow bigger Crappie with the larger than normal minimal length regulations with this theory? It seems as if they would over populate.

That’s what most don’t understand. The reason why the Mississippi flood control reservoirs (Big 4) grow such large crappie with higher than normal length limits is because they are in productive water (lots of forage) and recruitment is low (below average spawns most years) due to annual drawdowns. Several years ago I was asking the same question as you. So I talked with the biologist in Mississippi who manages these lakes and he told me about the poor recruitment.


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Originally Posted by D10

That’s what most don’t understand. The reason why the Mississippi flood control reservoirs (Big 4) grow such large crappie with higher than normal length limits is because they are in productive water (lots of forage) and recruitment is low (below average spawns most years) due to annual drawdowns. Several years ago I was asking the same question as you. So I talked with the biologist in Mississippi who manages these lakes and he told me about the poor recruitment.


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Thank you for the explanation.

Originally Posted by Hammmerhead

Thank you for the explanation.

You are welcome!


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