Thread: Crappie already spawned?

I live in the Poconos and the ice has been off my local lake for about 2-3 weeks. I saw the crappie spawning a week ago. Pop

Originally Posted by Smoltz

A guy at work... You know how this goes, told me the crappies are pretty much done spawning. Central pa. He caugh lots of big felmales and they was already spawned out. I was like, idk buddy. They water temps were barley 50-55 deg. Big lake
The river water temps was only averaging mid 50"s coming in. Said coves already was warmed up n they spawned. I'm calling BS..

Some inexperienced fishermen mistake the early run to the shallows for warm water and to feed, for the spawn. Crappies always make this shoreline migration when the water first warms then head back out to the deeper water until the temps get into the high 50's and 60's to spawn. Read as much as you can find on crappie fishing and you'll become a much more consistent fisherman. Watch videos too.

I think Chaunc is correct. I have caught many in shallow water very early in the year but they did not spawn yet. A few weeks ago I was in southern Va and did very well. Keep 25 one day for table fair and they had not spawn. Yes the girls had eggs in them. Fish were very active in shallow water. Perhaps any day but not as of then. Did your friend keep any and have eggs? To me that is he only way to be sure. I only keep fish 1 or 2 times year and also put back 50 plus so I did no hurt the future fishery.

He told me he kept a batch of them and they was spawned out. No eggs.
He said he got mostly 12-13 inches. That pretty solid fish for pa. ESP for "most" of them to be that size.

I am by no means a x pert. Just seems to be early. Those are nice size fish and should be some spawners in the group. Thanks for the information.

It is biologically impossible for the spawn to have taken place in temps ranging 50 to 55. Temps must be 60 to start the process. I would bet he ran into some nice bucks.

I bet most his fish "were" 10-11, not 12-13.