crappie spawn

[Smithvillesteve]

Was down a couple of weeks ago and caught some nice crappies up in the shallows. Some had eggs some not. Was just wondering if the spawn was still on? Thought about going down this week. Any info is deeply appreciated. 

[Gumboot]

With all the cool weather, I think the spawn is jacked up.  You can still catch males shallow and females 8-14'.  Caught some males Friday that were really colored up.  Don't know what water temp was as didn't even get boat out, just walked the bank. 

1/16 oz pony head jigs and black/chartreuse skirts accounted for the crappie.  And the nibbles...don't leave home without them.

[fishinwrench]

The Whites at Lake O are just now beginning to run up the creeks.   First run of males started 4 days ago.    

Pretty much a full month later than usual.   

[DADAKOTA]

That due to water level wrench?

[fishinwrench]

34 minutes ago, DADAKOTA said:

That due to water level wrench?

Definitely.   There was a nice long spell of warm-enough weather.....but they can't get up into the creeks until the lake level stays at 657.4+ for a couple days.    

[DADAKOTA]

Will the delay adversely impact their reproduction?

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

Will the delay adversely impact their reproduction?

The delay happens for a reason.  Either weather conditions or water conditions are such that egg depositing (ON TIME) would be a huge fail.      Mother Nature knows best.   

[Heretolearn]

Slow fishing again this afternoon for me with jigs, but kept 6 and threw back twice that many.  The whites are still full of eggs and I threw back a couple of 9 inch whites that were busting with eggs.  The blacks that I caught tonight had spawned.

[fishinwrench]

I haven't gotten to get out alot yet this spring, but from what I can tell the peak spawn activity for crappie, Whites, and Green bass is still yet to come.  

I'll almost bet ya that the last week of May (memorial day weekend) will be the balls to the wall action that everyone is looking for. Full moon is on the 26th.    It all seems late this year here at Lake O, and Pomme is probably about the same.   

[MOPanfisher]

The spawn is usually like a bell curve, slow build up to a big peak and then dwindling down.  The series of little cold fronts has been tough on the consistency this year.  Seems like crappie are everywhere from shall to deep pre spawn to post spawn roaming and eating shad.  Should be a good spawn overall and all this short fish are orobably 2019 year class, and are gonna grow for next year.