Watch the Signs for Pre-Spawn and Spawn Crappie Success

Learn how to gauge the stage of the crappie spawn and how to use those findings to catch more fish this spring.

We all have our trusted signs that tell us when the spring crappie bite is on. What’s yours? Blooming dogwoods or redbuds? Morels popping up? Water temp hitting 65? Something else?

“I’m always watching the boat ramps, and also paying attention to docks, shoreline fishing areas and cars parked along roads near bridges,” said Gary Rowe. “News of catching success during the prime crappie spawning period spreads like wildfire, so seeing increased angler activity over a few days leaves no doubt the bite is happening.”

Barbara Mandrell’s classic song “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” could have been written differently to refer to fishing instead and about avid crappie anglers like Rowe. He started chasing the species nearly 50 years ago, long before crappie fishing became as cool as it is today. “I’ve just always enjoyed finding and catching crappie,” he said.

I’ve known Rowe for a long time, and I can assure you he’s really good at both, with his expertise and knowledge coming from his years of fishing for the species throughout all seasons on Fort Gibson Lake.

Rowe lives about two blocks from a mid-lake boat ramp. The northeastern Oklahoma fishery was built in the early 1950s, primarily for flood control and hydroelectric power, and it’s tagged with holding the bulk of spring rain runoff that gets passed down from two other lakes on the same river system. Normal pool is about 20,000 surface acres, but that acreage can more than double during flood events. The fluctuations can be extreme, particularly in spring. The diversity, though, makes Fort Gibson Lake a good model for proven crappie tactics that can be used elsewhere, and especially during the crappie’s pre-spawn and spawn movements. We trust you’ll find Rowe’s observations that follow to be helpful.

Pre-Spawn Crappie Observations

• When water temps are staying in the mid-50s to low 60s, crappie are on the move.
• Shad schools are moving throughout the lake, traveling channels and often concentrating in the mouths of creeks.
• Crappie are aggressively feeding, and they are active in similar areas to the shad.
• Males will begin staging near spawning areas, typically relating to cover in 10-12 feet.
• Females hang farther off, usually roaming in deeper water of 20 feet or more.
• No-flow creeks, and other creeks protected from river current, are great first places to look for earliest spawn potential.
• Concentrate searches around “mixing areas,” places where muddy water and clear water have come together. Shad also like these areas.
• Pay attention to where boaters are fishing (not specific spots, but types of areas: channels, creek bends, creek mouths, etc.).
• Dock fishing should have really picked up now from mid-creek areas and back and will progressively keep getting better as daylight hours lengthen and temps continue to warm.
• If you’re not an experienced dock angler, visit with anglers you see about productive depths and best “catching” times. (You’ll see a pattern.)

Crappie Spawn Observations

• Water temps are staying in the 60s. Pay attention to temperature differences by area, because even a change of only a couple of degrees warmer can be a game changer.
• Shad activity has moved shallow, including coves and pockets. Crappie are doing the same.
• North-side shorelines will typically warm the quickest from catching the most sunshine.
• Think like a crappie: Look for shorelines having spawning-area appeal and that offer protection.
• Rocky banks can be good choices, particularly rocky shorelines with scattered wood debris. Even a single stickup can be a good target
• Males are the ones that build and guard nests. They are now being caught in 6 feet of water and less.
• Crappie have a tendency to spawn shallower in stained water; deeper in clear.
• Males displaying bright spawning colors are signs you’re in the right type of area. (Note: Stained water often subdues the males’ spawning coloration, but often they’ll brighten considerably even after just a short time in a livewell. Pay attention).
• Females spend little time on the bank. They deposit their eggs and leave. Paying attention to caught females, including depth of catches and condition of bellies (spawned or not), provides valuable info about stage of spawn – early, late or peak.
• Not all crappie spawn at the same time.
• Spawning activity can last from four to six weeks. Large lakes can have different spawning periods in different parts of the lake. Explore!
• “Waves” of crappie move in and out during the spawn, so keep checking prominent spots until you’re confident the spawn is over.
• Dock and bank fishing can be really good during the spawn, especially in early morning and late evening hours.
• Keep moving and keep your bait moving, crappie are still aggressively attacking baits.
• Go anytime you have a chance during spawning time, but especially take advantage of full moon and new moon periods.

Gary Rowe’s "Three Threes” for Spring Crappie Spawn Success

I.     The things I’m always keeping my eyes on:

1. Crappie angler activity at the ramp, boat docks and shoreline.
2. Areas with surface water temperatures that are staying higher than upper 50s.
3. Where the shad are located.

II.     The baits I always have rigged:

1. 1.25” Itty Bit Slab Hunt’R. My favorite color is Bone White/Chartreuse. I have tons of confidence in this little bait because it simply catches them in every scenario. It’s especially productive in brush piles! Rig it on a Bobby Garland Itty Bits Jighead, 1/48 ounce.
2. 2” Baby Shad. I like this bait’s profile and all the available color options. Mayfly and Glitter Critter are among my favorites on Fort Gibson Lake. Rig it on a Crappie Pro jighead, 1/16 ounce.
3. 2.25” Minnow Mind’R. This round body bait with the split tail gives me a different profile and tail action than my other two choices. My favorite color is Silverfish. Rig it on a Crappie Pro 1/16-ounce jighead.

III.     The things I always have:

1. My eyes on my electronics. There’s no substitute for knowledge, and seeing is believing. From the time I launch my boat to the time I load it back up, I’m constantly glancing at my Garmin to see depth, water temperature and fish/baitfish activity.
2. Multiple colors of my favorite bait styles onboard. Yes, I have my proven favorites that I throw most of the time, but I’ve seen a color change trigger new activity after a bite slows or the fish just aren’t responding to what I’m trying. I’m a big believer in clear baits for clearer water, and darker baits for darker water and/or darker skies.
3. A Thill spring-style bobber rigged. The controlled depth of a bait during the spawn can make a huge difference, and nothing works better for that than a bobber. I prefer this balsa float because it makes little disturbance upon hitting the water, and its spring line holder makes it fast and easy to adjust bait depth. There’s nothing more fun than to watch a bobber suddenly and magically disappear from the surface!

More on Finding Crappie During Spring