How do Crappie spawn?

[CrappiePappy]

"and in some cases crappies have been shown to have multimodal egg size distributions, suggesting than some individuals might spawn more than once in a single season."

I'm wondering if that statement means what you infer that it means, or if it's covered in my "extended or interrupted" time frame scenario.

As to your second scenario ... I'd have to know what bodies of water never reach the minimum spawning temp range (~56deg) at any time of the year, and if Crappie were even present in those waters.

One thing the Fla Fall spawning Crappie study didn't elaborate on ... was whether those same fish spawned AGAIN during the "normal" spawning time frame, or if they were just "early" in their spawning due to the circumstances of that one incident (in their words : "rising water levels in Fall were considered a possible trigger")

... cp

[INTIMIDATOR]

Well a few days ago, I was going to say I was sorry for asking about how many times a Crappie spawns in a years time, but I can see we all have Our own opinions a can civilly agree to disagree with others, I've learned a lot once again being a CDC regular and just wanted to thank You guys for debating the subject and as GoBob says, may You all feel many thumps this Spring! PS. I have subscibed to the In Fishermen mag also.

I like In-Fisherman Magazine and Shows like Hook-N-Look...the articles and info on fish, their environments, etc.,are very insightful, truthful, and usable....but you do have to remember that their choices of tackle and lures are mainly based off their sponsors who pay the bills!

[INTIMIDATOR]

I'm wondering if that statement means what you infer that it means, or if it's covered in my "extended or interrupted" time frame scenario.

As to your second scenario ... I'd have to know what bodies of water never reach the minimum spawning temp range (~56deg) at any time of the year, and if Crappie were even present in those waters.

One thing the Fla Fall spawning Crappie study didn't elaborate on ... was whether those same fish spawned AGAIN during the "normal" spawning time frame, or if they were just "early" in their spawning due to the circumstances of that one incident (in their words : "rising water levels in Fall were considered a possible trigger")

... cp

The research that I have seen, says that water temps in the mid 80's are needed to trigger the Hormones in the Females to abort eggs that weren't deposited during normal spawning conditions.
Minimal Spawning temperatures don't apply in the deeper Northern Reservoirs, due to our normal abysmal Spring weather...you have cold Bottom depth water continually mixing with warming shoreline water during all of our crazy Storms.
We set a record last year with over 2 feet of ice on the lake, then tack on a cold Spring and the water (SURFACE) temps were in the 40's all through April and May, 50's in June, major cold rain flooding in July with Ecoli outbreaks everywhere, and the water finally sustained at 75 degrees (SURFACE) in late September and October....over Christmas due to the warm Fall and Winter, the water temps were 48 degrees!
With no temps close to triggering the abortion hormones, you have the possibilities of Fall Spawns...I would imagine than deeper lakes farther North than us could have experience the same thing!

[Tom 513]

Quote: .but you do have to remember that their choices of tackle and lures are mainly based off their sponsors who pay the bills!

Thats the beauty of internet Forums of any subject, people speak from experiance rather then there sponsers. But then again I always liked watching the old Bill Dance shows mainly because He explained things and You actually learned things You could apply on the water.

["G"]

Don't over complicate it...Crappie spawn in the spring, a female may spend time in more than one bed. I have asked this question to three different Fish Biologist all with Masters degree's on the subject. And with years and years of filleting crappie under my belt have I ever caught a female popping with eggs or a male with his tux on... past a reasonable spring spawning period? The answer is a resounding NO!!!! It is a myth that they spawn any other time than spring or darn close to it depending on weather patterns.

Thats the same thing the biologist for MDWFP here in my area tells me and is the same thing that I learned takeing a few ichthyology courses when I was working on my wildlife management degree. Also the added length to daylight hours triggers the pituitary gland and that along with water temp gets the process going.

[CrappiePappy]

The research that I have seen, says that water temps in the mid 80's are needed to trigger the Hormones in the Females to abort eggs that weren't deposited during normal spawning conditions.
Minimal Spawning temperatures don't apply in the deeper Northern Reservoirs, due to our normal abysmal Spring weather...you have cold Bottom depth water continually mixing with warming shoreline water during all of our crazy Storms.
We set a record last year with over 2 feet of ice on the lake, then tack on a cold Spring and the water (SURFACE) temps were in the 40's all through April and May, 50's in June, major cold rain flooding in July with Ecoli outbreaks everywhere, and the water finally sustained at 75 degrees (SURFACE) in late September and October....over Christmas due to the warm Fall and Winter, the water temps were 48 degrees!
With no temps close to triggering the abortion hormones, you have the possibilities of Fall Spawns...I would imagine than deeper lakes farther North than us could have experience the same thing!

I'd be curious to know if the fish could/would even hold their eggs that long, and if so, would they even be viable to hatch and survive.

... cp

[INTIMIDATOR]

I'd be curious to know if the fish could/would even hold their eggs that long, and if so, would they even be viable to hatch and survive.

... cp

I'm sure you can even throw a few more variables in there....Stress due to flooding, fluctuating temps....then some lakes may have stresses from algae blooms, stress from lack of food, stress from high heat and lack of oxygen, etc.
Add that our lake has many cold Springs that feed it...even during severe droughts, the lake doesn't lose water volume...so it always gets cool water pumped in, even in Summer.
That's why, I prefer to believe "That If Possible, Mother Nature will find a Way!".

Everyone at our home lake agrees that we are seeing things that were normal, not happening anymore! We talk more and more about how things are "changing"...either through adaptations or evolution!

IMHO, this is how we also grow as fishermen, trying to be open minded, and trying to keep up and understand the changes that may be happening around us!
This El Nino weather pattern is really effecting a lot of us in many ways...we are getting a lot of mild weather and rain, if it continues, we may have a March Spawn this year, and a Summer drought...who knows!

[Tundah]

They spawn when I play Barry White on the boat.

[Firehyd]

This is a lot of good information.... question is from me and I'm not a real smart person....How many species of fish spawn more than once a year? I don't know myself and maybe it has already been ask and I missed it.....

[Ketchn]

This is a lot of good information.... question is from me and I'm not a real smart person....How many species of fish spawn more than once a year? I don't know myself and maybe it has already been ask and I missed it.....

i have heard bluegill spawn more than once ....