crawfishing

[WAbedroomponics]

I hope it is ok to make this thread in this section if it isn't then I am sorry. I was just wondering if anybody has some tips for catching crawfish because i haven't been able to catch any in my traps and was wondering if anybody had any tips And in washington is it legal to bring home the non-native Red Swamp Crayfish and raise them in an aquaponics system?

[urbanfarmer]

It is okay to post here! As far as your question, I can't help ya there. I would just buy some breeders to start. I think they make hundreds of babies several times a year. It might be pretty hard though; so, do some research first. Badflash is our resident expert on the topic.

[keith_r]

if you know there's cray's in a stream, try baiting your trap with beef liver or heart..
the problem with wild caught is that you won't be sure what you are introducing to your system (parasites, disease etc) - can you isolate them for a couple days after catching?
most cray's are highly territorial.. in a 55 gallon tank you might be able to keep 3 or 4
look for pond stockers in your area, i've bought crays at bait shops as well..

[badflash]

I don't know the laws in Wahington, but growing local crayfish in doors is probably not the best idea. Most don't take to intenisive growing and by themselfs they would not provide enough nutrients for the plants.

I am experimenting with co-cropping red claw crayfish. If kept separate from tilapia they do OK. Both have the same needs for temperature and water hardness.

You'll need to check with the local authorities, but kept as pets and not on a commercial basis, most states allow them. Red Claws can't over winter in your part of the country, so they are not an invasive threat.

[WAbedroomponics]

Red Swamp Crawfish have killed almost all native crawfish in a local lake and they have spread i will be catching them for dinner when season starts but i was hoping to keep them in a "live well" like tank to keep them till i get a chance to eat them OR breed some to sell as pets or something

[WAbedroomponics]

i have heard so many different "best" crawfish baits. i have heard fresh fish from the lake, chicken liver, cat food, dog food, bacon fat in cheese cloth, raw bacon, fried bacon, worms, spam and alot more even weirder sounding things..... is there any baits that are pretty universal?

[urbanfarmer]

I heard they like fresh fish poop. Have you tried that?

[WAbedroomponics]

lol that sounds like a joke but after all the weird "best" baits i have heard of i have to ask.... are you being serious? if you are maybe i will use some of the build up gunk stuff in some cheese cloth and it might just work lol

[urbanfarmer]

Let me know how it turns out!!!

[keith_r]

we caught plenty using liver.. beef worked best for us, but used chicken too.. just let it sit out in the sun (the bait) for the day, and set your trap in the evening with the nice stinky bait
the problem with most shrimp, the only way to do any kind of "intensive" growing is in ponds.. (dark waters/ more area), but it don't hurt to try! provide lots of hides and lots of food, and watch your water quality