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I was very surprised to catch some small small 4 to 5 inch crappie yesterday that were full of eggs in Illinois. I haven't seen that in the past, though I have seen small males put on their tuxedo in the spring. What is the textbook age/length for crappie to be mature to spawn?
We manage crappie in Missouri to protect them to age 3. This gives them a chance to spawn once before they are available for harvest. The length at age 3 can vary greatly from lake to lake. In Grenada, they are 12" at age 3. Truman they are 9-10" but in overpopulated lakes they can be 6" long and spawning.
in LSL the males are dressed up but not ketchn females but curious so will check and see if they have eggs now. ketchn tons of males close in.
What's this tuxedo bidness i keep hearing about?
When the spawning season is on the males fish's black markings get darker & expand ... sometimes to the point where nearly the whole fish is black ... commonly called putting on their tuxedos.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baitwaster
Remember .... "every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man" :biggrin
A Tennessee TuxedoAttachment 375676Quote:
Originally Posted by Baitwaster
wow! cant believe i haven't seen that this season!Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy