Crawfish

**Rick** · 05-31-2009, 08:04 AM

Everything seems to be geared to stocking ponds but I don't see why stocking a ditch wouldn't work in a smaller scale.

http://www.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/RedDrumPolyculture.htm

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chowan/pubs/.../Stocking.html

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_...ogy++Stocking/

**Ken** · 05-31-2009, 08:07 AM

Rick, the suggestions in that second link would require a permitting process that would take years to complete - in Mass, anyway.

**Ken** · 05-31-2009, 08:11 AM

Crawfish Virus

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_...a+Crawfish.htm

**crashdive123** · 05-31-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Ken

Crawfish Virus

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_...a+Crawfish.htm

At least it ain't Swine Flu.

**wareagle69** · 05-31-2009, 08:26 AM

well i have heard of folks stocking swimming pools with fish, but i am sure that would violate your limit on fish, probably would be the same with crawfish. the only logistical problem i see with stocking a ditch is population density, how many do you need to eat for a meal and how many can that area of ditch sustain

**Ken** · 05-31-2009, 08:28 AM

Don't restock with this one.

http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hit...y_crayfish.php

**Ken** · 05-31-2009, 08:32 AM

Good article on crawfish production: http://aqua.ucdavis.edu/dbweb/outreach/aqua/UG9453.PDF

**Ken** · 05-31-2009, 08:34 AM

Here's the law in each state:

http://marmorkrebs.org/crayfish_laws.html

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 10:01 AM

Thanks Ken,

Lots of interesting links! I hadn't really questioned the legality of stocking the ditch. I am not sure that the critters do not already exist in said ditch. I think I will drop a trap in and see! In fact I am on the way with the trap now!

**wareagle69** · 05-31-2009, 10:18 AM

got me thinking cowboy (wierd to type that as it was once my nickname) and a great poem by cody lambert. But any how i wonder about stocking my indoor tanks i have several 100 gallon tanks full of fish(gold fish are a respectable size bigger than most perch) and my turtles are large also, maybe i should try to cpature a few crawfish and see if they will live in my tanks

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by wareagle69

got me thinking cowboy (wierd to type that as it was once my nickname) and a great poem by cody lambert. But any how i wonder about stocking my indoor tanks i have several 100 gallon tanks full of fish(gold fish are a respectable size bigger than most perch) and my turtles are large also, maybe i should try to cpature a few crawfish and see if they will live in my tanks

From what I have read they feed on decaying fauna, actually I had told my little girl she could get one for her aquarium. The trap is set and we shall see what is in the ditch. I baited it with both herring and bread balls. The trap will catch most anything that will fit in the door. Will be checking it in 4 hrs. Here are some pics.

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**Sarge47** · 05-31-2009, 11:44 AM

...who's to say that Crawfish (or, as they call them in this part of the country: Crawdaddys, don't know why.) didn't just find there way into your ditch. BTW, any where you have "standing water" you have a breeding ground for mosquitos & run the risk of "West Nile Virus". Is there any way you can "move the water", like making it into a flowing brook?

BTW, I once lived next to a "babbling brook" but had to move as I got tired of listening to all of that incessent babbling!

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 11:46 AM

It moves, just slow. It was dry all winter.

**crashdive123** · 05-31-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL

It moves, just slow. It was dry all winter.

That, if it happens regularly may not bode well for stocking it.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 12:24 PM

Good point Crash. Thing is we were considered drought status for sometime. The status was recently lifted. It is actually an irrigation ditch for the 50 acre field next door. Another thing is this, part of crawfish farming in my understanding is first stocking adults males and females 50/50 in a flooded pond 18 to 24 in. deep. Allowing breeding then draining which allows the crawfish to burrow where the young are laid in the burrows then reflooding to allow the young to mature then harvest. Crawfish are abundant in many ditches here.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 02:25 PM

Well curiosity was killing me so I checked the trap at approx. 2 hrs. When I walked up I saw a huge snapping turtle inspecting my trap. I said to myself well I could survive on turtle! I then pulled the trap and my wife like to freaked out it was packed with crawfish. I released the small ones. Looks like I am having a cajun crawfish boil for dinner! One thing to note my trap is really a minnow trap and only has a 1" entry door. I suspect I can catch more bigger ones with a new trap and it just so happens I have the wire to make one. Headin' out to re-bait the old one and make a new one! I'll post the new trap design!

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**Sarge47** · 05-31-2009, 03:16 PM

It seems like that ditch is ALREADY well-stocked!

**Rick** · 05-31-2009, 03:18 PM

Help me.....Please help me......

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**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 03:54 PM

I have set the trap again. Started a new design in my mind and am contemplating. Should I cordon them off with wire fence and start feeding them? Give me your ideas I sure didn't know I already had them here!

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 05-31-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge47

...who's to say that Crawfish (or, as they call them in this part of the country: Crawdaddys, don't know why.) didn't just find there way into your ditch. BTW, any where you have "standing water" you have a breeding ground for mosquitos & run the risk of "West Nile Virus". Is there any way you can "move the water", like making it into a flowing brook?

BTW, I once lived next to a "babbling brook" but had to move as I got tired of listening to all of that incessent babbling!

I call them CrawDaddy's too! I was trying to show my smarts!