Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management Please assist with crawfish ID in NC

The white river cray belongs to a different genus (Procamparus) compared to the Chowenoke (Orconectes). The white river cray is very common and thrives in ponds.
Typically the number and length of the antenna are not mentioned in my ID keys nor descriptions for separating the species. Identification from just pictures can be tricky.

The adult white river crays get quite large and their claws(chela) are noticeably long for old adults. Older white river crays are at least 2-3 times longer than the lip balm container in your picture big ones for sure and eatable. The entire length of claw for old White Rv cray to the first joint is as long as the distance from the eyes to the (back end of the cephalothorax or carapace) beginning of abdomen. Young White Rv individuals could easily have shorter claws. Your specimens have noticeably short chela if they are mature adults. If you can pull off one or both of the male gonopods and get a couple close pics of it that will clearly help in a positive ID. Then we can get a more positive name. The hard part will be getting a good close clear picture of the gonopods.