Posted By: Ken Gaby
What's Happened - Happening - To The Spawn - 04/16/16 01:50 PM
Been several posts lately about what's happened to the spawn. People (me) can't seem to get on the bite up shallow. Been hit or miss for lots of folks.
This year there was warmer weather early and not any really cold weather to drop water temps as in other years. Water temps reached 60+ sooner than I can remember and stayed there. Also had a lot of water coming into most lakes with the Jan-March rains. Water levels up and down frequently. Lots of new ground and vegetation for fish to spawn in and hide.
I think the spawn is going right on schedule. Some fish already spawned and others getting ready. With so much new ground covered by water and temps at 60+ early, there are thousands more places for the fish to be than most years. Usually, the protected water in backs of coves warms first and the crappie migrate there when mother nature calls. That's still the case but there has been lots of 60+ degree water in all the coves this year starting in late Feb, early March. Fish are more scattered than usual and harder to locate. At least that's my excuse.
With the influx of water in most all the lakes east of IH 35 the past two springs, I believe there has been excellent spawns of crappie and the survival rate should be very high. 2018 thru 2020 should be excellent crappie years with strong year classes.
Hoping you find 'em and feel the THUMP.
This year there was warmer weather early and not any really cold weather to drop water temps as in other years. Water temps reached 60+ sooner than I can remember and stayed there. Also had a lot of water coming into most lakes with the Jan-March rains. Water levels up and down frequently. Lots of new ground and vegetation for fish to spawn in and hide.
I think the spawn is going right on schedule. Some fish already spawned and others getting ready. With so much new ground covered by water and temps at 60+ early, there are thousands more places for the fish to be than most years. Usually, the protected water in backs of coves warms first and the crappie migrate there when mother nature calls. That's still the case but there has been lots of 60+ degree water in all the coves this year starting in late Feb, early March. Fish are more scattered than usual and harder to locate. At least that's my excuse.
With the influx of water in most all the lakes east of IH 35 the past two springs, I believe there has been excellent spawns of crappie and the survival rate should be very high. 2018 thru 2020 should be excellent crappie years with strong year classes.
Hoping you find 'em and feel the THUMP.