Forums36
Topics40,963
Posts557,993
Members18,503
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
1 members (anthropic),
778
guests, and
213
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3 |
When I stocked my forage minnows (about 1.5 years ago) I also was given a few papershell crayfish. I haven't seen them since and I'm wondering if they are still in the pond.
Is it possible to trap them this time of year? I have a standard minnow trap and a couple of chicken necks, will this work or should I wait until spring? How deep should I set the trap? Any advice is appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
|
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
I catch my crays in various depths between 1-3' in weedy or rocky areas. I bait my traps with AM LMB pellets. I have no clue if you can still get them this time of year...I know I was trapping them two weeks ago, but it was much warmer then.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3 |
Thanks TJ! Our temperature is going back up to 50 by the weekend so I may try this.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,151 Likes: 491
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,151 Likes: 491 |
Papershells go dormant in late fall and are difficult but not impossible to catch.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3 |
Thanks Bill for saving me the trouble, I'll wait until spring. I should have sampled before stocking my fish but I doubt anything is big enough to eat them now anyway.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,151 Likes: 491
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,151 Likes: 491 |
An abundance of crayfish will contribute somewhat and to varying degrees to your water turbidity which is maybe occurring in your case. Late spring is the best time to sample for papershell crayfish in northern states.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 11/15/12 05:10 PM. Reason: edit
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3 |
Really, with so few crayfish? How many babies can a papershell produce?
I guess I know next to nothing about crayfish. I know they taste good (having lived in New Orleans for a few years). Do you have a good link about Papershell Crayfish that you could share?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,151 Likes: 491
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,151 Likes: 491 |
I know of no good link that deals with the autecology of papershell crayfish. There are some good paper copies of journal articles about crayfish ecology. Generally - Some time after mating the female lays about 200 (50-300) eggs, which she carries in a mass under her tail. After several weeks the eggs hatch, and a hoard of minute, perfectly formed, ravenous baby crayfish emerge. At first they continue to ride along under the female's tail, eating tiny waterborne bits of food, but soon they leave this security and head out on their own. During these early days many are eaten by fish, insects, and other crayfish, but some always survive to fulfill their destiny.
Comment - If 25 female crayfish each laid 150 eggs that hatched and no predators were present, a small pond could easily have 2000-3000 crayfish which is enough activity to cause turbid water especially if aeration is present for water currents to keep silt/detritus in suspension. Recycling of plant material from crafish garzing would also contribute to increased productivity and increased phytoplankton.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 11/16/12 10:48 AM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3
Lunker
|
OP
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 573 Likes: 3 |
I set my trap 2 days ago with chicken necks and left it overnight. No crayfish. I dropped it in another spot and I'll check it tomorrow but I don't think I have any mudbugs left.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910 |
Loretta, what brand chicken did you use? You may need to use a upscale brand to entice your craws.
Two ponds, 13 and 15 acres on the Mattaponi River.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 71
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 71 |
Not to hijack, but does anyone have a pic or web site that shows their crayfish trap? I've tried a couple different styles, but haven't had much luck. Just curious what type are succesful for others.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 90
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 90 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 71
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 71 |
Anyone know of a place that will overnight papershell crayfish? Also if you've tried this already, were the papershells healthy after delivery?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,795 Likes: 71
Hall of Fame 2014
|
Hall of Fame 2014
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,795 Likes: 71 |
Anyone know of a place that will overnight papershell crayfish? Also if you've tried this already, were the papershells healthy after delivery? SmithCreekFishFarm (scroll down list to 6th from bottom)
Fishing has never been about the fish....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 94
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 94 |
Mine were healthy and looked very good.
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|