There's an argument floating around about spawning temps. Those that argue say if the above is true....why do crappie spawn way up north in colder water? I don't know what crappie up north do but I've found that the information Ken has posted will hold true in Texas. I have fished a lot of areas in the morning when temps are close and caught nada. Came right back down the same area after noon when water temps have risen to the "magic" zone and found fish beside every stick.

After fishing for crappie for over 30 years....the only thing I know for sure about them....is that I don't know squat! But in years of record keeping of my trips Ken's numbers are a good rule to use.

Good post Ken!!! The fact that you and other folks have fished many lakes all over Texas during spawn gives very good basis to the information. When you just fish a couple lakes, it is hard to make a reasonable decision.
Thanks again!

I understand the discussion from both sides...the bottom line, goes back to what TDub said the other day (since I don't recall the exact comment I will paraphrase)...you just don't know exactly where they are gonna be, or when, but you havta go looking in some unlikely places at times...and both sides of this discussion make sense, and I have used both sides to find fish...in fact, if one side does not help me get on fish, I switch to the other theory to hopefully find the fish. I honesty do not know if one side is more right than the other or not...but I love these debates, because it helps the rest of us to apply logic to a seemingly illogical quarry. Thanks Ken and Leaning Post...I appreciate this series of threads...and I look forward to meeting each of you...

What if?

I can catch a male and female crappie today from a private tank that has not spawned out. I will release the crappie in my 120 gallon fish aquarium at the house.

I will control the water temperature below 60 degrees.

I can turn on the light to simulate day light and turn off the light to simulate night fall each day as spring day light time progresses.

The moon phase will be whatever the moon phase is as spring progresses.

Question.

Will the crappie complete the spawn cycle below normal spawning water temperatures?

There's an argument floating around about spawning temps. Those that argue say if the above is true....why do crappie spawn way up north in colder water? I don't know what crappie up north do but I've found that the information Ken has posted will hold true in Texas. I have fished a lot of areas in the morning when temps are close and caught nada. Came right back down the same area after noon when water temps have risen to the "magic" zone and found fish beside every stick.

After fishing for crappie for over 30 years....the only thing I know for sure about them....is that I don't know squat! But in years of record keeping of my trips Ken's numbers are a good rule to use.