I personally don't let spawning factor into whether or not I choose to take fish.

It doesn't make logical sense to me. I can take a fish that I catch in December, but I shouldn't take that same fish in March, because it's about to spawn....If I take it in December, it's not going to lay eggs either.

That being said, I never take any more fish than I (and my wife) can eat in a reasonable time (like the next few days). Normally, I limit myself to 2-4 average sized fish. I never take large fish, however.