I was watching the Linders this morning and Al stated that crappie spawn in temps around 60*. I was taught (and experience has borne this out) that crappie spawn at around 70*. Is this a geographical thing? They were in S Cal. and I fish N Il. Tom

I don't know Tom, but up in Northern Wisconsin, they don't spawn until May.
Tight lines.

I fish in Iowa and Missouri and have always gone with 62-65 degrees as the spawn temperature.

Here is a blurb form a site: "The ideal water temperature for the crappie to spawn is the low 60 degrees, and finding water temperature in the 62 to 65 degree range will most certainly get the crappie in the spawning mode. Because bass like the water temperature to be a little warmer, around 63 to 68 degrees, the crappie will often have already spawned before the bass spawn."

" "Crappie spawn at a temperature between 60 and 65 degrees. Bass spawn between 65 and 70 degrees," said Alabama fisheries biologist Jim McHugh."

Maybe if the lakes you fish don't have a huge bass population the crappie spwan later?

Here in Oklahoma, when the water temp gets close to 60 it's time for crappie. Two weeks ago water temp was at 51, should be getting close to 60 by now.

 

 

Dave D. Oklahoma member since 2003

I guess I better start my crappie fishing a bit earlier! I never researched it because I always caught fish but maybe I've been missing the best of the spawn. Tom

I fish in Oklahoma and from what i have experienced is that the black crappie spawn first when the temp hits about 50,but they prefer weedy areas then the white around 60-70 as stated before me even if u cant find them spawning up close dont give up because they might be spawning in deeper water in treetops. This took me several years to figure out but it has potential to be very productive for the crazy times.
Oklahoma Life Member Since 2009 OKARNG 45th Inf.

duckman st louis mo

This must be a lucky catch. This is the only crappie I have caught out of this pond. I have fished this pond over 50 times.

Target species: bass.

Secondary species: bluegill.

I have never fished this pond for crappie, or had any need to know they were here. I caught this one on an X Rap Ghost Glass color lure.

Turns out, this crappie is my biggest to date. Just at 1 pound. The water temp had to be in the low 50's/ high 40's at the time.(2010, March)

I'll let you all decide the water temp. Here is my pic

 

Lifer since 05/08....Ky....Fred