Crappie spawn timing??

[BLACKJACK]

When are crappies done spawning?? Was out earier this week and caught a few, when I was cleaning them, I found several full of spawn!!! Was kind of surprised and actually felt guilty!!

[Riverratpete]

I think it's been a weird year with the water temp fluctuating, etc etc..I did the same thing a week ago..found them deep also.

[Feathers Rainin]

Depends on the lake and the type of year. Usually it is when the water is at or above 55 degrees. Keep in mind surface temp can be a lot different than the temp a couple feet down. I have caught crappies in July that were on their beds. Some lakes are done and other lakes are just getting started. Look at the males and if the lower fins are beat up that means they are making beds.

The nice thing with crappies in the spring is most lakes you can easily tell the males from females. Males will be really black this time of year and females will be lighter or normal looking. When we get into the crappies in the Spring we only keep the smaller males. The females and big males go back. If you pull all the big males off their beds you are hurting the genetics of the population by letting the little guys move in to do their thing. If there is a fish that you can't easily identify the sex from the color squezze the fish a bit. A female will spit out some orange eggs and the males...well you know.

[OnAFly]

The lakes I've been on lately have been done. Bigger lakes will still be going and main lake spots will too.