When does crappie season start in Texas?

Crappie will start ’staging’ for the annual spawn when the water temperature approaches 60 degrees. Both species of crappie, the White, and Black, have similar spawning habits, and in fact, often interbreed where their habitats overlap.The males will come first and start congregating along structure near suitable spawning areas in 10-12 feet of water. In Texas, this can be as early as mid-February or as late as mid- March, depending on the weather. As the water warms to 60 degrees, males will move in to shallow flats in 2-4 feet of water and build nests on the bottom, to attract females. The females follow close behind and make their breeding selections. They will continue to spawn as the water warms to the lower 70s. They will spawn several times. The females then bug out to deeper water, leaving the males to guard the nests, and the young. After the fry scatter, the males will then move to deeper water and recuperate. This begins the Post-Spawn season. The water temperature will determine when the crappie spawing season starts. It is a good idea to scout out likely spawning areas, and ask the locals about good areas beforehand. Crappies are creatures of habit. Where they spawned last year, they will spawn this year, if possible. Many people sink left-over Christmas trees in the shallows to provide cover for the staging fish. I usually start scouting around the last week in January for likely spots. Look around shallow bays, inlets, coves and river mouths. Happy fishing!