[Bearsfan]

Went down to the stipmines looking for crappie Sunday, May 2, 2010. My daughter joined us this time. She only agreed to go if we didn't leave so early in the morning. An agreement was reached. We didn't leave the house until 8:30 AM. After breakfast, bait (a couple dozen minnows), etc., we were on the water by 10:30AM.

Surface temps were 66-67 degrees. I only caught 3 crappie all day. All were males, 8", 8.5", and 9". Sorry no photos.

Here is a photo of one of the numerous bass the kids caught.



Far from a jumbo, but my daughter's first perch.





All fish released.

[Esox Tracker]

Good to see they made it out with you.
Walleye another time!

[SpecialEd]

With surface temps pushing past 65 degrees, I would bet you either did just miss the spawn, or it's on right now. How shallow did you fish? Some recent reports from "the club lakes" have had crops up REAL shallow (3 to 5 fow) staging for and just finishing up the spawn.

[Tracker127]

Yeah, I think its done...
Beginning of last week I was killing them on the Chain, by friday I could barely get a bite from a crappie but starting getting bass & bluegills in the channels.

[Crappie Professor]

Hard to believe it's over.....temps at spawning or bed depth aren't near the temps needed for egg incubation...could be wrong but with all the gofy weather it's tough to peg them every trip out this time of year....

[twade]

I thought I read an article within in-fishermen that had proof that crappie spwaned in fall also.. it was some break thru information... need to dig that up.

[Tracker127]

CP, you could be right. It may just be the body of water I'm as well.
I read some place that crappie spawn first then bass, not sure where the bluegills fit into the mix. Anyhow since I was hit crappie at the beginning of the week then bass at the end got me to thinking crappie was done and bass were up to bat.... But Hell What Do I Know... LOL

[Valleye]

You know Jeff you missed the spawn. It was at 6:00 am that morning. I guess you can blame your daughter. Well we know Matt would!!!!! LOL Thanks for sharing the pics. Haven't seen your daughter fishing so getting her out must be a bonus! We'll we see them at the Waukegan Outing?

[LS1Bait]

I was out in some pits this weekend and did really well on the crappie. The water temps were right at 66 in the main lake and a few of the coves I went into were almost 68. The fish I did keep for a meal still had eggs in them and didnt look to be poppin to soon. I think with this little cold snap commin up they will be holding off. There is always post spawn if you missed the pre

[Bearsfan]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Fishing on Mother's Day is out of the question, but I'm hopeful I can get into some specks soon.

Val, we'll see about the Waukegan outing.

[Bubbalouie]

Jeff, our daughter looks "Almost" thrilled with the perch- you two guys will have to break her in slow- that way one day she'll say- "Dad, we can't wait 'til 6:00 am., we have to be on the water by then- the Crappies spawn early"

Do you think the crappies upper north, say Castle Rock Lake, Wi haven't spawned yet?

[Esox Tracker]

Bubbalouie wrote:

Do you think the crappies upper north, say Castle Rock Lake, Wi haven't spawned yet?

Don't think they have, but with that dark water the shallow backwater timber might be really close to 60 now and they could be close. Some 30s at night coming this weekend could hold them off.