Crappies spawned out?

[CrappieJohn]

I went to the local hole this morning and did the crappie thing again, but this time with limited results. Last week's warm water has done two things: promoted the crappies to finish spawning and then it disappeared. The only fish my boat buddie and I could find today were black, save for a handful of short females and a pair of sunnies. And two bass. Had a northern chase a hooked crappie but did not get it.Those things are like heat seeking missiles... they do not relent once they have targeted something. The ater temp took a turn south with the latest cold front, dropping almost 10 degrees. The crappies we did catch were very nice fish in the 10-12 inch range and very aggressive. Typical nest watching behavior. I plan to try again on Thursday to see if I can find some females with heavy bellies yet, but I think it is over at this body of water. Good fishing..

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

Well Tom, my fishing holes in southern to east central MN have shown fish go from the deep, to shallow, back out deep with the cold fronts, and the Crappies are still loaded with eggs, and the males are back to normal color, but still squirting.

Leads me to...sit and wonder. Ohh well, a year without a good spawn can make for some excellent quality angling for sizes in the future, but makes C&R all the more critical of these quality fish.

Good luck.

[CrappieJohn]

Jigsticker...Our water temp took a downward hike again since last Friday when we had 67 degrees. With water that warm and the dark moon all weekend, I think that the fish in this puddle just dumped. They will do that rather than hold the spawn, especially if the water temp is near right. Even with these revolving door fronts that have plagued us this spring, I have always been able to find some hen fish. And on Friday they were liking to fill your hands with eggs when you handled them. All the male fish we caught today were displaying that defensive "hit from the side and carry away from the nest" type of behavior. And all of these fish were taken in typical spawning bed water of two to four feet. As soon as we moved away from this water the hits ceased. On Friday the fish were stacked out to a depth of about six feet and would hit freely at baits fished five feet deep. Couldn't find a fish at that depth today. This is a stained lake with a sicci reading of about four feet right now...got some silt still hanging in there from the last high water. Are the lakes you refer to clear and what kind of water temps are you seeing there? WhenI go on Thursady I am going to try some openwater drifting with twister to see if the females are suspending over the deep stuff already and whether or not they are in fact done spawning or still carrying it. Let me know what your water temps are. Good fishing.

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

The lakes I have been hitting have a varied sechi from about 2 feet up to 5 feet.

The water temps have been in the 62-66 degree range, depending on recent weather conditions.

I expected the fish to have "dumped" by now as well, but they have moved away from their grounds of rituals, but are yet carrying their "stuff".

As I mentioned, even the males that were stealth black last weekend are now back to normal. Although they still have spawn in them, once in the livewell for 30 minutes, they return to the "defensive" black color again.

Such as fishing. It's not a real science at times.

[CrappieJohn]

With water temps at that level and still fluctuating, it is hard to say what might happen. I honestly think that the water needs only a couple more degrees there and then it will be a flurry as it was here, especially if the male fish are still spraying when handled. I've noticed more spawing activity when the water gets to the mid 60's to upper 60's in temperature in these dark-water lakes. It may be such a think that in your particular puddles the surface water has warmed to the right temp, but the water temp at spawning depth has yet to attain what they prefer to dump in. I'd give it another couple weeks. On the lake I fish we had water temps moving like a yo-yo all spring and when it finally got to where they should be spawning, they weren't. I took a temp reading at six feet and "huh", it was fully eight degrees cooler than on top. Last Friday it was 67 degrees down to almost eight feet. And even with the winds we had over the weekend, it is very doubtful that the water lost its temp down a ways. I did not do a deep water temp check yesterday as I had intended. Like I said, give it a while yet, I've seen places where they didn't spawn until almost July because of the weather! Good fishing

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

I know they have been known to hold off, and wait for climical conditions to favor their preference.

However, things just don't match what I have seen in the past. Typically the fish would move just outside the spawning grounds and stage, but this particular case, the fish have moved 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile away from their grounds, into 6-7 feet of water, up or down the lake someplace.

But like you said, when I return it could be another different ballgame, however I expect that if one more mojor cold front barrels through, these fish will give up, dump, and post spawn fishing can begin shortly after.

good luck.

[CrappieJohn]

Lets hope for the better for you guys. There is nothing like the immediate pre-spawn for fishing and what a shame to miss out on it. I'll be hope'n for you..

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

I will find out this weekend what the week of semi-stable weather has brought forth for the elusive Crappies.

Sounds like the bite was pretty hot. Maybe my favorite ponds will be in the same scenerio. I still am in anticipation of post-spawn though, and then the mother of all fishing months for Crappies, July and August on the weedlines, breaklines, and open water.

thanks for the update. Mine will come Saturday night.

Good luck and good fishing!

[This message has been edited by united jigsticker (edited 06-05-2003).]

[CrappieJohn]

Jigsticker...I'm going again tomorrow and will throw an update to you. Will not be around this weekend...going to Missouri on Saturday morning and be back on Sunday night. I'll be back on the water by Tuesday of next week. Good fishing

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[protrapper]

I was fishing over in Wisconsin, I was getting good slabs a week ago, then the front came and couldn't catch any. Then the other day got into some, the males where black and the females still had eggs. The water temp was about 67 to 68 degrees, in 5 feet of water. You could see them gaurding the nests. Might be over soon though. They were not as big as before but good size fish 9 - 11 inches.

[CrappieJohn]

Protrapper...That seems to be the general pattern in these parts as of late. The fish I have been getting are nice fish, but all males. The females I got today still had spawn, but were in quite deep water compared to where they have been. I am thinking that we still have smaller females toting spawn yet, but the really big ones did the deed before the weather turned Friday and have scattered in open water. The water had warmed to an average of 64 degrees when I left the lake today and if this warm trend can continue without another cold blast we could see , basically, another spawn. Jigsticker thinks they are just going to void the spawn and get on with summer or hold it and re-absorb it. This has been a tough study this spring with so many back to back fronts that don't seem to want to end. Honestly, I do not know how to figure this next week or so other than to just fish it and be prepared to fish as a spawning period or an early post- spawn period. Can't NOT fish though....hell, I'd have to mow the lawn and I don't!!!! want to do that. Good Fishing

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[protrapper]

Hell I hear Crapster. I'd have to find a job if it weren't for fishing....

I know where I'm fishing the sunnies are gearing up they are on there nests. You can see the nests and the bulls, there hitting small leeches, and then being returned to the water to do the deed. So they can plant seed and grow more bulls. One thing I also noticed as we were seeing quite a few dead crappies, floating and on the bottom of the lake. They looked like they died recently as they still had good color. Wonder what from???

[CrappieJohn]

Pro...This time of year when the water is full of boats, you can bet that there is some culling going on and most peole really do not care if what they return is upright, flat or otherwise. Too many people are still usind baskets and stringers...both of which tear up captive fish and flat out nullify any honest attempt to return them after being detained by either method. People are better off using a 5 gallon pail and changing water every 10 minutes. If it is hot outside, a cooler full of ice is preferred, just measure your fish before you ice them and KEEP what you have put away. I set a personal slot of 10-12 inche fish on my crappie lake...the others take a hike. If I can't seem to find the fish inside this self-imposed limit, then it is c/r or just enjoy being alive. Good Fishing

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[CrappieJohn]

Jigsticker.. I went to the drink this morning and did the crappie thing and caught a ton of male fish, many in the ten to tweleve inch range and all off nesting areas. Happened to drift out a bit deep, so I dropped a deeper rig and nailed a hen fish of about 10 1/2" . And another, and another, etc,etc. Get the picture? Anyway, I kept three of the hens as part of the limit and when I fillet the things out come to find that they have NOT spawned yet, but darned if those males are not guarding nests. When that cold front came piling through here on Friday, the smaller ,less mature fish must have dropped back into the deep water like they do early pre-spawn when the weather changes like this. The really big fish are nowhere to be found and I am positive they have dumped. Maybe the same thing has happened on your lake(s) as well? Its odd....I've never seen this occur this late, especially after the water was so warm and the spawning had begun with such fever. Water temp was back up to 63-65, but 64 in most areas. We might get another go at this afterall. Goodfishing

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

This cold front just adds a twist in the sagga of Minnesota June Crappie Angling.

One more day of work and then it's off to the races.

[CrappieJohn]

Hey Jigsticker...I'm heading for Missouri in the morning for a quick drive (ffffffft-bang), then to the Quad Cities and then home Sunday. Good luck to ya this weekend...I hope you find what I did. If you think of it grab a water temp each day and make a post on Sunday night what they were. Thanks in advance. Stay dry!...

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

Never forget the temps this time of year...Have a safe trip.

[CrappieJohn]

Jigsticker...It'snot over here yet. Today the lake was at 66 degrees and the fish were all over on the shoreline, both sexes together, spawning to beat crazy. It would appear that the big female I had been picking up spawned as soon as the water got to where they liked it and then went main-lake. When last Friday's cold front came through the fish went into a pre-spawn cold front pattern and went to deep water, but the males stayed on the beds. Don't give up on your lakes yet...you may be looking at a spawn afterall. Who knows. This has been such a mixed up year that notthing would surprise anymore. Good Fishing Guys

[CrappieJohn]

Jigsticker...I got back last night and was too tired to do much on the computer. We had a good time but it got hectic....too many places to be , not enough time at every one. Sameold, same old. Fish at all this weekend? I heard that the weather was sort of rough around home here. How was it for you? Drop a post if you did anything. Good fishing

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster

[united jigsticker]

I went to Clearwater near Annandale for a change of pace.

Good Crappies in 6-12 feet of water, Big Bluegills in 2-20 feet, and Largemouth up near the rushes. Even got suspended Walleye over 20 feet.

Weather took a change, got pretty cool, and was very damp.

Water was very clear (10+ feet) but the overcast made for some decent fishing all day.

good luck.

[pikehunter]

Hey Tom,
I'm working on a fishing-related free-lance story and I'd love to use you as a quote-source. If you could, I'd appreciate it if you'd drop me an e-mail: [email protected]
THX!!

[CrappieJohn]

Just returned from my favorite puddle and found the fish more than willing to chew the tubes. Everything was quite shallow and as long as we did not right on top of them(literally) they hit with fever and often we would take 3-5 fish off one small area, move down the shore ten feet and do the same thing over again. Water temps were right at 65-66 degrees and in spite of all the rain we have had here in SE Mn., the water clarity was very good. It's a riot to target a fish visually and then cast to it. Hope to hit it again in the morning for a couple hours and will update upon my return. Hope everyone is finding the same success!

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster....good fishing guys!

[CrappieJohn]

Hit the water for a couple solo hours this morning and had very decent luck. Water was still at 66 degrees, but had risen from recent rains and yesterday,s water level. Tubes were again the bait and the fish were still shallow, but today they were really hugging the tree branches hanging in the water tight to shore. Out of sixty + fish only two were female and many males were very large. Everything was c/r. Did find where some dolt dumped fish at the landing last night and there were about 10 dead ones, they were really beat up too. It appeared as though they had been kept in a fish basket and that is the absolute worse place to keep fish. Seeing something like that sort of makes me want to knock some scales off the twit that did this. Otherwise, this was a very nice day....

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster....good fishing guys!

[CrappieJohn]

My grandsonand I did the thing at the lake again today with results about identical to yesterday, except we held a few for the table. When we filleted them we found that three were spawn holding females. Can't hardly believe it. I don't think I have ever seen craps with spawn this late in this corner of the state. Goofy season I guess.

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster....good fishing guys!

[This message has been edited by CrappieTom (edited 06-12-2003).]

[CrappieJohn]

What with the high skies, lack of wind, and very warm temps the craps have shut down on our lake. You can see them, cast to them and then nothing. The water has cleared real well and the fish apparently can see you and just won't hit. The next trip the sensitive equipment goes and it will be to deep water for a look-see. In three hours we boated only 8 fish this morning as opposed to about 60 in 5 hours yesterday. It seems about time for this shift though.

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Sure life happens- why wait....The Crapster....good fishing guys!