[daveman927]

I'm new to the form. I was wondering if anyone here knows if you can trap crayfish in Harris Lake or Jordan Lake? I'm looking to do some trapping for bait but would also love to eat some as well. I'm not sure why you couldn't eat any of the local crayfish I just normally buy them from the market. I think it would be fun to trap them plus I've already made some traps... I don't have any streams in my back yard that's why I'm looking to the lakes or even the cape fear down around 42hwy in Moncure.


Thanks,

 

[trigger22]

Welcome to the forum, we are glad to have you. I'm not sure about trapping crawfish but before trying it make sure you don't need any special license.

 

[NCStateFisher]

north carolina has a lovely little regulation that you can't leave the trap unattended overnight so it makes it a tad difficult.

 

[OptiMystic]

I would encourage you to do a little research, particularly on Jordan. There have been a few incidents with bacteria in the sediment over the years. I would think mud bugs would be the most susceptible to this. I wouldn't eat any from there.

 

[trigger22]

I would encourage you to do a little research, particularly on Jordan. There have been a few incidents with bacteria in the sediment over the years. I would think mud bugs would be the most susceptible to this. I wouldn't eat any from there.

Nothing a pot of boiling water wouldn't take care of. Sort of like the microwave, it kills all the germs

 

[OptiMystic]

I know there is always a low incidence of fecal coliforms in pretty much all water, but I don't like eating something with a higher than normal level even if they have been killed (and were pretty harmless to begin with). Their presence is an indicator of other bacteria, some of which produce toxins that are not so easily neutralized.

 

[wademaster]

It's not difficult to stay within regulations. Bait your traps and drop them out early in the morning and go back before dark or whatever works for you. Multiple traps in various places of course should net you more. Welcome to the site!


Sent from my kayak...

 

[spidey]

anyplace to buy live ones? Would love to give it a try fishing with live crawfish

 

[misterslowride]

They can be caught in about any stream.

 

[peanut]

Don't forget about the mercury... However, concentrations may be quite negligible. Hot water won't boil that away!

 

[Mack in N.C.]

north carolina has a lovely little regulation that you can't leave the trap unattended overnight so it makes it a tad difficult.

yes and its terrible,.......daytime trapping crayfish is like hunting gray squirrels at night!.. crayfish traps really need to "soak" overnight to catch what you need unless you just happen to put it on the crawdad mother lode.

 

[daveman927]

Thanks to all for the replies. I did some research and apparently you do have to have a special device licenses for fishing with traps. Its only $10 however that's only good for 3 pots. 4 or more and you have to buy a commercial special device licenses... $100

You can leave your traps out however you must put your name, number, and address on the buoy or a tag if the line is tied to a tree. Never thought something so simple could so many regulations...

Max trap size. 60"x30"x30"
1" entry hole.
even more regs. if trapping eels.

Reference page 28-30 for regulations & 30-34 for seasons.

as far as eating. I think it should be okay. no fish consumption advisory for Jordan, harris, or cape fear.

falls, gaston, crabtree, neuse, walnut creek, there are advisories.

 

[wademaster]

yes and its terrible,.......daytime trapping crayfish is like hunting gray squirrels at night!.. crayfish traps really need to "soak" overnight to catch what you need unless you just happen to put it on the crawdad mother lode.

I agree but what other option does he have?


Sent from my kayak...

 

[wademaster]

anyplace to buy live ones? Would love to give it a try fishing with live crawfish

I've tried it to no avail. Lots of guys will say it's the best bait ever hands down. Guess I don't possess the skill needed. Fish eat them but didn't eat mine.


Sent from my kayak...

 

[Dylar]

I've tried it to no avail. Lots of guys will say it's the best bait ever hands down. Guess I don't possess the skill needed. Fish eat them but didn't eat mine.

Hard to get them to drift cleanly in moving water with conventional gear if there are any conflicting currents.

That said, molting (soft shell) crawfish are fish crack.

 

[wademaster]

Hard to get them to drift cleanly in moving water with conventional gear if there are any conflicting currents.

That said, molting (soft shell) crawfish are fish crack.

Yes I agree. My dad and others have spoken highly of the molting crawfish. Makes me wonder why I've done so well in the past with "non-molting" craw colorations.....


Sent from my kayak...

 

[Dylar]

I think a lot of freshwater game fish eat crawfish whether they're molting or not. The thing about baitfishing is that you're trying to elicit a feeding response. You're not trying to draw a reaction strike, you're trying to make that ****er eat, which mean you're generally going to have to get a really natural sort of presentation, and in that context, drag is your biggest enemy. Lure fishing is largely about eliciting a reaction bite.

What I can say is that fish seem to have a strong preference for molting crawfish, when they can get them. There's a strong scent trail that comes off those things, and I've watched trout move 30 or 40 feet to eat one. They "like" them enough that an ideal drift becomes less important.

When I was a kid visiting my grandfather's cabin on the North Holston, he always fished for smallmouth using live crawfish or hellgrammites, but rigged on a 6wt fly rod so he could control the drift.

 

[Mack in N.C.]

I grew up on the haw.....you cpuldnt catch many on the haw but there was a good size creek that flowed into the haw near my house....put a trap in there and next morning it would be slam loaded with em....float em down the haw and all kinds of fish killed em...especially cats and bass.....moved to cary and every time I set a trap next morning I may have a couple in there.
Depressing....got 1 crik in mind 5 miles away that I may try....

Catching crayfish in Jordan is gonna be hard....I would try a crik....

 

[redspringsfisherman]

Not trying to hijack the thread but what do you guys use for bait in the traps I've tryed everything

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[wademaster]

Not trying to hijack the thread but what do you guys use for bait in the traps I've tryed everything

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When I trapped them I usually caught them as a by-product to minnow catching. In that case I was using bread balled tightly in a small piece of panty hose and tethered to the traps "halfway" point so its suspended halfway into the trap. That brought many crawfish but it seems meaty baits such as dog chow maybe will target the crawfish better specifically.