I think it is a combination of the factors ya'll have already mentioned. Plus each individuals interpretation of the term itself. I've seen pictures of colored up males so far, but no soft runny bloody eggs... JMO

I think crappie are going to spawn "near" the area they were born in. Year after year you can predict there will be beds within 30' or so of places you were successful in the past.

The fish move up to 6' to 8' of water and wait for conditions to get right so the majority of their eggs will hatch. Moon phase, plankton, water temp, & water color all play a part.

I caught a female with eggs running out of her last Thursday. That it what made me wonder.

Fishin'aholic, I think you are on the right track, after this full moon phase you should notice a lull in spawning for a few weeks.

Anyone know what type of crappie they have in cool waters of Canada?

Although I feel water temps have a lot to do with it, water temps fluctuate greatly all over the lake. For example I was on Lewisville last week. Water temp on the main lake was 51-53, water temp in the couple of creeks I fished was 65-67.5.
I caught several small bass and not one crappie.
Temps I thought were right in the creek, but I normally don't start catching spawning crappie in these creeks till Early to mid March.
If temps hold consistent I want to see if time of year holds true to my past experience.
Just my thoughts.

Kanuck crappie.

the question is, what will this cold front due other than push them back deeper, and for how long before they move back into the shallows?

As long as the air temp didn't drop lower than the water temp we should be good right?

I would think, but looking at mid 30's Wednesday and Thursday with the highs in the high 60's/low 70's

We fished fork Saturday and while it was tougher than normal, we caught some good fish and alot of bass. Water temp was 59-60 where we were, and didn't catch anything deeper than 7'. I kept thinking the sun was gonna pop out and really get them going, but it never did.

Caught only female whites which I thought was odd. This one was in 3' under the walkway you see in the background.

And for those of you who know this certain walkway/dock, the place finally sold after 4 years and the new owner came down and basically told us we couldn't fish there.

Very nice fish Lane. I thought you quit fishing for crappie after you caught that 3 on Fork a couple of years ago.

Heck no. 2 weeks ago started my fishing season and probably will fish every weekend till it gets too hot for my old (censored).

Nice fish Lane.

Water temp is definitely an influencing factor. Fish can be shallow, 1-2 ft and move out quickly when a cold front blows in and water temps come down 3-4 degrees. Temp and length of day trigger when they start the move from winter haunts to staging areas. Egg maturity also determines when they will actually deposit the eggs. Water may be warm enough this month but the eggs may not be mature and ready to lay. And eggs mature over a 60-70 day period. I've found fish actually spawning from late Feb to early May on the same lake same year. I�ve caught crappie spawning in 10-12 FOW in late April when the water was clear enough to see your jig at 3 ft. I would agree that water temp may be the biggest factor. I've never caught white crappie laying eggs in 52-53 degree water.

Went today to traditional spawning areas, water temp 63.9 first area; 4 males. Next area, water temp 63; nada. These two areas are typically the first ones to hold shallow fish. Temp was right, fish weren�t ready today.
Here's a couple threads about water temps.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/9943964/1
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/11392645/Let's_Talk_Spring_Crappie#Post11392645

Ken, I don't think those fish Saturday were even close to wanting to spawn. I think they were just up there foraging. As for temps, 2 years ago at crappiemasters the water temp was 53.5 when we got there and 55 when we left for the weigh in and those fish were full on spawning. The difference between then and now was the date. 3rd weekend in March if I remember correctly, a full month later than now.