At what temperature do crappie spawn?

Crappies will spawn when water temperatures reach between fifty-eight and sixty-six degrees F. However, when the temperatures start reaching between forty-seven and fifty-four degrees F, the crappies will start moving closer to the spawning areas where they will make the nests. If the water temperatures warm to the right degree for spawning and suddenly drops, the spawn will not happen until the water warms again. Sometimes a female will not lay the eggs if the temperature warms and cools too many times. She will simply absorb the eggs and miss the spawn altogether. If you watch the fishing reports with the water temperatures, you could track the crappies and the spawn. If the temperature drops and warms, you would know where to start looking for the fish. Crappies start moving into the shallows when the temperatures hits forty-four and will stay if the temperature continues to rise to ideal spawning temperatures. The males will make the nest for the female to lay the eggs and guard the nest and young until they take off by themselves. The male crappies are very aggressive during the spawn when anything comes near the nest. You could easily fish temperatures of forty to sixty degree F to catch crappies during the pre spawn, spawn and post spawn. You do need to know where the nesting is done and find the crappies guarding the nests. This information should help you plan for the spawn and when to fish during the spring months before the fish get really hungry.