Thread: Lake Eufaula archives

I cleaned the fish I caught Tuesday yesterday. All but 4 or 5 were female. The males were sent of milt, and the females had small light yellow egg sacks. Looks to me like they were spawned out and recharging for next year.

does anyone else think that perhaps they spawned deep because they were starting to spawn just before the lake came up?

We fished the shallow spawnig bed areas Tuesday and came up empty.

Tim, I think we have had 1 run at the bank so far and a few have spawned. I caught a few females last week that were spewing eggs when I lifted them into the boat. Do I think all of them have spawned out. The answer to that is NO. Eufaula like other lakes the crappie spawn in stages and at different times down the lake. They will first spawn in the shallower part of the lake since it warms up faster and if its a lake with color it warms even faster. You have to follow the fish down the lake as the spawn goes on. The crappie have been moving off the bank this year more than others I believe caused by one front after another. I too fished some spawning banks Monday on the south end of the lake early that morning and was amazed that I didn't catch a single fish or get bit with the water temps hovering around 70 degrees. Had to move out to 8' of water before I started catching fish. But as soon as the sun warmed the water up alittle I caught fish on the same spawning bank and shallow a few hours later. I too have noticed the small egg sacks and of an odd color this year more than any other and I had that conversation with JD (winger) last week when we were fishing the south end and he seems to think maybe they were absorbing them or late bloomers maybe. But saying that I have noticed I am catching alot of fish with little or no color to them telling me they are just coming into the shallow water to search for a spawning bank. Saying that I am catching males with just alittle color on their tails and fins but other wise white. Thats also telling me its still ahead of us some what. Hope I am right........Ranger

Last two weeks in April-May. Get ready they will be on the bank! But you have to committ to finding them! EB

Originally Posted by Ranger09

Thats also telling me its still ahead of us some what. Hope I am right........Ranger

I hope you are right!

Last two weeks in April-May. Get ready they will be on the bank! But you have to committ to finding them! EB

does this mean i can leave the boat at home and just walk around the bank picking them up? cuz thats bout how itll have to be for me this year, they got me all confused as to where they are hiding!!! lol

They will come. Patience.

Bowman if your willing to get out there and look you will catch them, just stay after it! If I was guessing it would be the first wek in May! EB

If it's still a couple of weeks away, then obviously the sun and moon phases have little affect on them.

My dad always said crappie where like humans.....when they're hungry they're going to eat and he said when they're ready to spawn, they're going to spawn whether the moon or sun was in the right phase or not. I think he was right casue he nearly always brought home a mess of fish.