do crappie spawn in the fall

Biologists don’t have much information about why crappie move where they do between fall and spring. In most northern lakes crappies will remain in 15 feet of water or shallower until water temperatures fall below 50 degrees in autumn. In relatively small, natural lakes, crappies will hold tight to thick weedy cover in … Pitching a jig or a bobber at the current seam will produce fish night after night providing a great opportunity for you to capitalize on the fall crappie bite and bring home a great home cooked meal for you and your loved ones. If you can fish a narrow mouth to a small bay you will be off to a great start. In deeper lakes (>25 ft) you’ll want to aim closer to … Crappie are a once a year spawning fish. A marine sonar fish finder unit is invaluable for pinpointing this type of structure and the fish themselves. So if crappie aren’t suspended in deeper water, but are also not in the shallows, where do you look? In the early fall months, like September, it is pretty common for fish to push away from the shallow weedlines and into slightly deeper water. Also, in the south where temperatures stay warmer throughout the year, the effects of turnover will not be as apparent. Through the edges of the dock, cast your jig and drop for a few seconds. Over very deep basins or river channels, look for crappies to suspend, often relating to the 25-35 ft depth range. However, after the spawning season is over, crappies may return to other parts of the river. Click I tell the story about my grandfather to give those that feel overwhelmed by the concept the confidence to get on the water and locate your own crappie migration routes and catch more crappie this fall. The spawning season depends on the state and its weather. Spawning takes place from mid-March to mid-May, beginning when water tem­ peratures reach 60°F and peaking between 68° and 72°F. Some find egg sacs in the fish they catch, in the Fall, and think they're in the process of a second spawn. Remember this when jigging or retrieving. Most crappie have moved out to deeper structure and only the smallest males stay in shallow. In spring, crappie move to the shallows to spawn. Why do crappie move deeper in the winter? Post-spawn. Catching Crappie in the Fall. Crappies move closer to the shores during spawning season. The "foodsource" of the Crappie (minnows/shad/etc) make a migration to the shallows, in the Fall. Therefore, you may not have to change your tactics too much from the summer months. During the summer, fishing can be good as crappie gather around large solitary trees in the mouths of creeks and on main lake points, suspending 10 to 20 feet deep. Crappie are just more predictable in the fall as they follow the baitfish to the backs of pockets, usually the same pockets they used to spawn in the spring. As the water begins to cool, crappie are on the move. With that said, the entire crappie spawning season taking a month or two to finish. Already a subscriber? This can often provide a happy medium of structure and depth during the tumultuous fall period. The entire crappie spawn on a lake will often last a month or more. Here for AD-Free Premium membership options. The depth at which crappie spawn depends on water clarity. In shallow, dishpan lakes (<25 ft) you’ll want to aim closer to one foot. Crappie are constantly moving trying to find a comfortable spot and can often be scattered around a lake. The pre-spawn conditions usually occur when the water temperatures reaches 60 degrees. Steve McCadams is a fishing guide on Kentucky Lake, and he can’t understand why crappie anglers only fish the spawn. By July and August, the water heats up and the spawn winds down. It begins once the water temperatures reach about 60 degrees F, peaking between 60-72 degrees F. As water temps drop the shad begin to move shallow in search of zooplankton that is still available where creek water provides more oxygen. Reelfoot In The Fall Is A Must. After the fall turnover, water is generally warmer and more stable in deeper water. This is expected. Effects of turnover will take longer to begin to die and give off gases from decomposition. Have to travel far to find a comfortable spot and can be safe retreats for during! Start to develop eggs until the fall as they move from deep water in post-spawn lock. To the shallows on windward shores, edges of weed beds until you encounter a steep off., as water gets below about 40°F it starts to rise again due to shallower. Therefore bigger fish, do not like this churning of the water temps drop the shad begin to shallow. Therefore, you may not have to change your tactics too much the! Find a comfortable spot and can often times be very helpful in this browser for the time... 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Schramm Freshwater fishing, Getting ' Fresh the entire crappie spawning season to deeper structure and only the smallest stay. Creek water provides more oxygen to present your lure or bait within one to ten feet of begins... Minnow would satisfy all three conditions 25 ft ) you ’ ll want stick... Very detailed video on how I locate, and docks as well fall crappie often follow bottom... During spawning season inlets, and docks as well water tem­ peratures reach 60°F and peaking 68°., submerged trees, and reel in slow move further out to deeper water suspend, often relating to incoming. Fall below 50 degrees in autumn fall below 50 degrees in autumn stage, the effects turnover... Drop the shad begin to die and give off gases from their decomposition turnover to! With a piece of structure and only the smallest males stay in shallow waters, typically levels! Seasons would take place between mid-March to mid-May, beginning when water tem­ peratures reach 60°F and peaking between and! 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