What water temp is too hot in early spawn?

[Randy S]

Hi everyone! New member. I searched the archives and couldn't find an answer. My issue:

Been fishing a local reservoir off and on last few weeks. Two weeks ago, lake temp 56 and feeder creek bay 60. Found a few fish in bay but very muddy.
Last week main lake 58 and muddy bay 64, still few fish.
Yesterday lake temp 68 and feeder creek 74. Did very well in creek as water started out at 70. By mid day creek temp was 74 and couldn't buy more than a fish an hour. This creek is normally very good through the entire day and spawn but this has been a cold to hot spring.

I'm wondering if when the creek warmed above 70, the fish moved closer to cooler lake water temps?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Great site!

[Spoonminnow]

Crappies will begin spawning when the water temperature reaches 56-60 degrees Fahrenheit. The crappie spawn will peak when water temperatures reach 61-72 degrees Fahrenheit. The shallower the water, the warmer it is.

[Locator79]

Depends on the warming trend. 70 on top could be 55 on the bottom.

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[Ketchn]

fish likely backed off due to the sunlight and not the water temperature is my thought .
overcast days they tend to keep going and sunlit days they seem to move out as the sun gets higher
my 2 cents