Wtb Crawfish

[GotaFish]

I am heading to Bull on Thursday and want to do some good old fashioned bottom bouncing with some crawfish. The wholesaler near Theodosia who normally sells me crawfish by the pound does not have any. Anybody know where I can buy crawfish wholesale near Protem or anywhere inbetween Protem and Springfield?

[Bill Babler]

You might be out of luck. I know Missouri has banned the sale of crayfish. Arkansas may have also. There are 7 native species of crayfish in the White River and its tributaries and I believe they do not want any introduction of any outside species. Best deal is take a day and 1/2 dozen traps and catch your own, or you can just put on the wet tennis shoes and wade any of the fresh water creeks and nab them.

Be very surprised if you can buy commercial craws. I cannot believe that Ark would have them if Missouri banned them on the same water.

Good Luck

[GotaFish]

Bill,

I was aware of the crawfish ban, but thought the MDC had issued a new regulation effective this year which allowed for limited sales.

Missouri's new regulation is another step to prevent new invasions.

On May 31, the Conservation Commission approved the commercial sales of only northern crayfish (Orconectes virilis), also known as “virile” crayfish, from in-state sources for live bait, effective March 1, 2014.

The regulation limits the sale, purchase and importation of other species of live crayfish in the state to human consumption, scientific research, or as food for confined animals kept by approved entities, such as research institutions, agencies or publicly owned zoos. The regulation prohibits the importation, sale or purchase of other species of live crayfish in the state for all other uses, such as fishing bait, pond stocking or as pets or pet food. The new regulation does not apply to other types of bait or to dead or preserved crayfish.

[Jerry Rapp]

does anyone else maybe think the government is way out of line again? Limiting Crawdad sales while illegals flood the USA?

[Bill Babler]

Bill,

I was aware of the crawfish ban, but thought the MDC had issued a new regulation effective this year which allowed for limited sales.

Missouri's new regulation is another step to prevent new invasions.

On May 31, the Conservation Commission approved the commercial sales of only northern crayfish (Orconectes virilis), also known as “virile” crayfish, from in-state sources for live bait, effective March 1, 2014.

The regulation limits the sale, purchase and importation of other species of live crayfish in the state to human consumption, scientific research, or as food for confined animals kept by approved entities, such as research institutions, agencies or publicly owned zoos. The regulation prohibits the importation, sale or purchase of other species of live crayfish in the state for all other uses, such as fishing bait, pond stocking or as pets or pet food. The new regulation does not apply to other types of bait or to dead or preserved crayfish.

Thank you very much for the information. I have spoken to several bait shops and they for some reason are still saying they are not permitted to sell any type of crayfish and have no distributors that are caring any of any kind.

We used to get in at the bridge at 39 hwy and flat creek and catch them hand over fish. I'm just sure in a couple of hours at Bear Creek on Bull or really any of these fresh water creeks you could fill a bucket and be ready to go. It is kind of fun too. Only problem is the durn hard shell craws in the creek can pinch the bee geebers out of ya.

Rereading your post,I bet that this rule being new did not allow producers/distributors enough time to grow any for this year. Perhaps next year since the ban was lifted they may start again.

Good LUck

[uofastudent]

bull shoals lake boat dock sold them last time i was there.

[Bill Babler]

Sweet, thanks much for the info.

[Ham]

does anyone else maybe think the government is way out of line again? Limiting Crawdad sales while illegals flood the USA?

I'm not a fan of excessive government regulation, but there are documneted examples of Rusty Crawfish displacing native species in areas after the use of Rusty Crawfish as bait. I'd rather we not lose biodiversity in our creeks/rivers/lakes because we want ceap live bait that's sold everywhere.

Lot's of stuff wrong with our government (state, federal, and local), but discussion of every law and regulation does NOT have to go there.

[Jerry Rapp]

Ham, do fish not eat Rusty Crawdads? Can you tell the difference between any craw dad species? I can't. The only thing I know is the soft shells are a sure bite.

[Ham]

The devil is in the details. IF I remember correctly, Arkansas has around 37 species of crawfish. I could probably ID 7 or 8 species. IF I looked at a picture of a Rusty Crawfish again, I could pick it out of a police lineup for sure.

Nature is pretty complicated with lots of inner relationships between the species. We screw enough stuff up as it is. We don't need to lose our native crawfish to the larger more dominant Rusty Crawfish. It might be enough of a change to reduce smallmouth populations or it might make no difference at all or heck it might even be good for smallmouth BUT it almost certainly would be determintal to our native crawfish and most likely other fauna too.

It's been documented to be a problem in other areas. It seems like a reasonable ounce of prevention to me.