hortus1010
8/23/2012 1:38:00 PMNo, I didn't see any fish at all. I have seen trout down near Bothell Landing. Spotted them from the bridgle there just sitting up near the bank.
The Quadfather
8/23/2012 10:05:00 PMReally nice to hear about a productive crayfish outing. Some many posts are all about asking where to find them, but your second pot sounded like a winner.
hortus1010
8/24/2012 11:18:00 AMFinding them hasn’t been an issue for me and for anyone reading this who wants to know where, I would say any river/tributary of Lake Washington and by extension Lake Sammamish, Lake Union and their respective tributaries. What I look for is rocks, roots, fallen trees, overhanging trees, and slack water in front of a current flow. We have set these traps many times that I haven’t posted about with success and I realize that trap design is a major factor in getting a good catch, the better trap for me is the ledge trap and it has consistently outperformed my other trap, this is closely seconded by the bait used. I primarily use Fresh Salmon heads, as all of these are areas are active Salmon areas and this is something that these Crayfish are familiar with. Third, the amount of bait, I let my pots soak overnight so I want enough bait to keep them there so I set a 1 lb of bait per trap. Lastly, trapping in rivers and creeks is a bit easier as you don’t have the issue of correct water depth to season issue. Also know your body of water, I have a lot of peat ponds near my house and have set traps in them and have yet to pull out one crayfish from them. I just don’t think they exist in peat ponds.
On an interesting note most crayfish pulled from North Creek had a claw or both missing. I think this is from Raccoons and Opossums hunting them.
One last thought, I read quite a few water reports, interestingly enough, these reports also contain a section on wildlife found in the water tested.
On an interesting note most crayfish pulled from North Creek had a claw or both missing. I think this is from Raccoons and Opossums hunting them.
One last thought, I read quite a few water reports, interestingly enough, these reports also contain a section on wildlife found in the water tested.
woody_george
8/28/2012 10:43:00 PMWhat a neat report - I used to collect crawdads as a kid in Eastern WA, at Scookum Lake near Usk. What great memories! (I assume they are similar to crayfish)
Can you post a link to the style of trap you like, and any other advise on setting the trap please? Also what are the regulations on crayfish - I don't recall seeing them in the book, but I am usually looking for "finned" fish.
Thanks!
Can you post a link to the style of trap you like, and any other advise on setting the trap please? Also what are the regulations on crayfish - I don't recall seeing them in the book, but I am usually looking for "finned" fish.
Thanks!
hortus1010
8/30/2012 3:14:00 PMCrayfish/crawfish/crawdads/mudbugs are all one in the same, just depends what part of the country you are from. The regulations are covered in the shell fish section page 130 in the pamphlet. Here is a brief synopsis: You don’t need a license, you can set up to five traps, restrictions: is if they are Signal crayfish(native) they have to be 3 ¼ inches to keep and must not have eggs or babies on their tails and you can only collect 10lbs. non native no restrictions/ limits. Gear rules are on 135, basically you need to have a trap that has a escape panel 3 by 5” tied with 1/8 “cotton rope and you need to float a buoy with your name and address on it.
The trap is like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Folding-Crab-Crawfish-Live-Trap/dp/B0018HNEEI
As for setting it I make sure it is covered with water and put it in slack water next to the current.
The trap is like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Folding-Crab-Crawfish-Live-Trap/dp/B0018HNEEI
As for setting it I make sure it is covered with water and put it in slack water next to the current.
