The ones I've been fishing have been spawning for about a month and week. They started making beds in a local lake right after the crappie moved out. I've caught a bunch of them, and can honestly say that 85-90% have been males. Most of the females I have caught were anywhere from 15-40 yards off the bank in 4-8 feet of water. No idea what the water temp is except very warm. The few females I did catch on the beds was only on one morning. They were doing the dance and breeding on the beds that morning. It was honestly one of the coolest things I have watched gills do. The females were just spinning in small circles while the males circled around the females on their sides, and spreading their seed. I've been fishing the same beds every day before work. (It's the best way to start your day.) Some times I keep them sometimes i don't, but I really don't think that the females spend much time on the beds at all. I'm pretty sure they are in and out in just a few hours, or maybe a day. Just my two cents on gills. Hope this helps!