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I know much has been said about lake temps and spawning, but I thought this would be of interest. It shows lake temps for the spring months for the last few years.
In addition to the temps hitting the right spot to begin the crappie spawn I was wondering how you think the lake elevation impacts it too.
Heading down last week of march, hoping for good weather!
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Great info. Thanks!
Any idea what the lake temp is right now?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ToonaCrappieChaser
Kentucky Lake Levels, Water Temperatures, and Conditions
... cp :cool:
Nice post....good info
I saved it to favorites so I can check and see when I nned to go south.
Pepper
Water Temperature is the primary trigger mechanism for initiating the desire for a crappie to want to spawn. The Water elevation will often determine how success the spawn is. If water temp. of upper 50's is reached in mid march for several days, the crappie are going to want to go shallow, regardless of water elevations. With low water, they may not be able to find suitable spawning habitat, or competition between crappie will be high for the best sites. I think the old crappie have learned to adapt more. In example, in Big Sandy there is a greater variety of deeper suitable habitat. So when water levels fluctuate or are still low when temps are right, these fish can stay out deeper and spawn. I pointed this out in the "big meeting" the other night. Notice the water temp spike in 2007. When the water temp jumps up fast, the crappie will begin their spawning rituals. The eggs and milt development will be temp driven. And when the eggs are ready, they are ready. Very little ability to turn back a mature egg. So when a cold front hits in April, like 2007, then part of the spawning potential is lost, with those over ripe eggs. Water level fluctuations like 2008, when crappie are spawning in the shallows while the water is high, with the receding water, the crappie nest are lost as the fish move back out. Rising water is better, but can still have a negative affect. If a crappie has spawned in a nest and the water rises. The male will attempt to stay with the nest; however the rising water may bring in more nest robbing predators such as panfish and carp. Ideally, high and stable water levels would be best.
prister, great info thanks. With what you said about dips in April temps in 2007 and water dropping in April of 2008 are these reasons of concern for two year classes of crappie?
I guessing with your knowledge you would be able to tell me the growth rate of crappie in KY Lake.
Thanks for the informative info!
Murray State University's Hancock Biological Station reports 51 degree surface temp for today 3/10. How does this compare to temps in the bays like Johnathan Creek or even back in the spawning areas?
Thanks
At dark on Monday the temp in Big Bear Creek was 56 degrees on the surface.
Monday March 9th the temp in Sledd creek was between 52 and 56 degrees depending on where I was fishing.
I found similar temps in Blood River. The north bank was a few degrees warmer than the south and tended to have more active crappie. (At least for myself) Water was running between 51 and 54 degrees.
Here is a link to a couple caught this weekend.
March 07, 2009 picture by FishTalesGuideService - Photobucket