Clear Underwater Crayfish Trapping in BC

Join us as we set our crayfish traps and take you underwater with us to snorkel and watch the progress of the traps over the course of nearly 24 hours. This video was made in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia. The native crayfish species we are catching are called signal crayfish.

[@caddisguy]

We did it again! Check out our new and improved 2018 sequel to this video. Better review/demo of the traps, better underwater footage and more crayfish! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKLTk2CrfZytis0

[@carolwang7351]

May I ask which lake is it? In bc ?

[@supermario606]

Nothing beats the outdoors. Especially when you're fishing, hunting, or crawfishing. Love the video!

[@jupiterdzhoovy558]

Take this advice as a hint if you are trying to trap in clear water. You can increase your catch of crayfish in clear water by actually muddying up the water in the general vicinity of the trap. These crustaceans need some kind of cover to protect them from being seen and eaten by predators. That's why they usually venture out to feed at night under the cover of darkness. I've caught a lot of crayfish in muddy or cloudy water during a bright sunny day than in clear water. I've tried this technique and caught from 10 - 15 crayfish in my homemade net trap every ten minutes. Good luck guys.

[@commandershepherd8987]

We have MASSIVE crawfish like those here in Oak Harbor, Washington. I was astonished the first time I saw how big they get here!

[@BrokenInTheBox]

Those are the largest crawfish I have ever seen! Looks like a lot of fun.

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

Excellent Well Done video! I Love to explore the "Hidden Wilderness of those, Rivers,Creeks,Estuaries,Streams etc. The best part comes together the next day; Harvesting! Those look like some fine girthy Signal Crayfish! I suggest trying the Crayster Crayfish traps they are the best and most durrable designed crayfish traps. Good luck be safe and keep on Catching those,Fresh Water Lobsters!

[@skyym3629]

We have some really clear rivers from springs in the mountains that run all the way down to the desert. My and a buddy pulled about 100 or so out of a 20 foot swimming hole in the river and cooked em up at camp that night. They were the sweetest I had ever had. I believe when the water is crystal clear like that, the meat is sweeter, just my experience. Those ones you caught, looked as if you could eat some of the claws because of how big they were. Cool video. Thanks

[@WildCaughtOutdoors]

that lake looks so beautiful!!

[@trashfishtvoregon7290]

Nailed it on the bait, I commercially fish crawfish in the Columbia River and cheap hotdogs are the best! To get even better results, soak the weenies in a can of oil packed tuna!

[@Broxty]

Hell yea! Awesome vid guys I'm gonna try this on Vancouver Island!

[@caddisguy]

+Broxty Should be quite a few lakes with crayfish on Vancouver Island. Hoping to hear of your success!!

[@alhonda433]

wow! your place is heaven......

[@x1pyroveride]

From louisiana here, during crawfish season, there is no limit per person. in a sitting you can easily eat 30+ pounds

[@stefanx8344]

x1pyroveride eat? You mean catch buddy

[@x1pyroveride]

no i dont mean catch.

[@stefanx8344]

x1pyroveride no human can eat 30 pounds of food. Maybe bc THE actual amount of meat you eat is less.

[@x1pyroveride]

you much of just figured this out? welcome to louisiana.

[@bigdogbob845]

tom m, 30lbs of crawfish = about a pound and a half of edible tail meat

[@CharlieSpencers]

Those crayfish and that water are so vibrant and clean. Incredible! The ones that we catch 'round my way are dirtier than a petrol-station handjob.

[@intercityhotelapartment9408]

Sand art

[@caddisguy]

+Trenton Wong Any lake connected to the Fraser via creek or within a reasonably short distance as the crow flies should be a safe bet. Crayfishing starts getting pretty good around late July and peaks late September / early October. Good luck!!

[@jerumd]

+caddisguy Where did you purchase these traps? I would love to catch myself some signals lol Cool video btw..

[@caddisguy]

+Jerum Distura Ordered them from ronniesunshines in the UK. They are cheap, so order a few to justify shipping! :)

[@jerumd]

caddisguy Hey thank you very much. :D Am gonna check it out. Does the name of the website ends with .com?

[@caddisguy]

+Jerum Distura That's the one! Shop around too... might even be able to get them closer to home. I think I saw some on Amazon a while back.

[@jadeyes1]

wonder if there are any lakes in north west C that have any. I used to harvest loads in the lakes east of Winninpeg

[@melg.3564]

Those bull heads would be the next baitset!!!...Gr8 video!!!

[@kdockrill4592]

can anyone tell me where this is in the fraser valley . I would love to catch some myself

[@desert1cop]

Nice and for the bullheads they make great fishing bait

[@viktorneyman7179]

how awesome !!! water is clear, ton of crayfish !!! dont give away this spot to anyone!!! =)

[@240Tony]

wow, nice catch! all cray fish are prisoners!! the one at 9:30 looked really big!

[@calipops6448]

this is sweet me n my lil brothers catch these guys by hand ✋ pinch like crazy but it's fun can't wait till summer sweet video

[@minamayes1529]

Wow, the quality of your camera is very impressive.

[@caddisguy]

Thanks Mina! We used a cheap (and not as good) digital camcorder (until we dropped it in the bucket of water with the crayfish) and a couple of SJ4000 cameras with waterproof cases. They are great little cameras and inexpensive too.

[@kalynpohl2875]

hot dogs and bacon always worked awesome.😉 We would sit on a large branch over a river and use the plastic berry crates with twist ties to hold in the bait and old fishing line to pull them up once the crayfish would crawl in we'd pull em up. It was catch and release at 5he time though. Park rules. But man r they tasty with garlic butter.

[@bunniesandbubbles5893]

I've found that crayfish actually take red licorice as bait. I found out when me and my friend were at the edge of a pond that we were going to camp by, and we were eating licorice. she got a bad piece and threw it into the pond. After about 20 seconds, two crayfish were fighting over it.

[@ape4018]

BunniesAndBubbles Slim Jims also work magic, me and my friend use it all the timw

[@badtzmarub3772]

.0. My twizzlers have value

[@emilianodejesusriveravalen3486]

BunniesAndBubbles que

[@PingasMonkey3rdClass]

Dont use slim jims, those are expensive. $2 for just one? Use vienna sausages. Just 50 cents

[@glockg2259]

Weird

[@Trenton214]

hey! i was wondering where in the lower mainland i can try catching crawfish? and when is the best time to catch them?

[@TheOopsEdaisy]

omg...such a beautiful place.... what a blessing!!

[@kerryward6896]

i cant get over how clear the water is, thats awesome ! i love to catch and eat mudbugs, we got some big ones here in texas !

[@steventruong85]

Now those are some huge crayfish! Would love to go out there and try it sometime. We call them crawfish down here in Houston/Lousiana.

[@caddisguy]

+Steven Truong I always wanted to check out Louisiana. Georgia swamps sound amazing. Our signal crayfish are big, but I can't imagine catching as many as you guys do in the south!!

[@steventruong85]

There are a TON of them when it's in season. Literally. Its really fun catching them too.

[@victorvalente1752]

Nice seeing fellow B.C ppl crayfishing! I go to Jones lake and have great luck!! what's the name of this lake you guys are at?

[@satanlovesmemoreable]

victor valente , how do you think the road up will be this year?

[@damonbridge2662]

Hey buddy just a question if you don’t mind answering, is this in chilliwack or Agassiz region?

[@5urg3x]

Beautiful...I miss Canada.

[@hardyakka6200]

Great to watch. Nice sized little fellas too. they taste good? I can get ones about a foot long here but are very bland. I like the smaller ones in the small creeks and dams they taste better and will live for days out of water. That looked far too cold for this black duck . Good outing.

[@TheGG794]

Wow , you got some nice big crayfish up there in B . C. . Nice video , but you left out the eating part .

[@k.backus6349]

Great video. Nice looking crayfish. The further north and the colder the water the better the eating quality. I won't even touch these "mud bugs" they eat down here from Louisiana or Florida. Cold water lakes and streams are the best.

[@reykennedy5716]

K. Backus you have it backwards there. southern water looks dirty, but it is clean otherwise. up north, the waters may be clear, but highly contaminated from factories dumping. I'll take dirty water catches over clean and full of chemicals.

[@chickenfriedbobcat6090]

+Lou Davis How about ice cold and crystal clear like the north fork of the ahtanum that flows right through my property here in Yakima wa?

[@robdavis1176]

Lou Davis, I have had both. That lake he was on was mountain stream fed. I have eaten fish from all over the country. Stuff that swims in dirty muddy water tastes like it. If you're pallet cannot pick it up then your lucky. Keep eating what makes you happy you will probably never know any better. Its kinda like eating Hershey Chocolate. A lot of american's love it, and why not its what they grew up on. I never liked it. And I grew up with that being the only choice. Would it shock you to know that Mr. Hershey curdled his milk to make milk chocolate because the master chocolate makers in Europe wouldn't share their recipe on how to make milk chocolate. That's why his chocolate has a rancid flavor to it that American kids adore. Enjoy you're mud bugs.

[@Thebonesoftrees]

fantastic video.

[@MohammadSuri]

Amazing bro, nice catch under water with great camera. Regard from Indonesia.

[@caddisguy]

Thank you from myself and my wife! ("team caddis") We made a Sequel you might enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKLTk2CrfZytis0

[@ashleybarrera9399]

The water is so clear. Where is this at?

[@drizzt7010]

Those are some big ass crayfish

[@randyneil6161]

Nice crayfish. Where can I get traps similar to those you used in the video?

[@caddisguy]

Thanks! Sorry for the late reply. The traps we used were ordered from www.ronniesunshines.com/crayfish-trap-crab-or-fish-pot many years ago, but you can purchase similar traps on Amazon now

[@Hunter__14]

Awesome what type of traps are those

[@AKR-Edits]

Cool! In sweden we laid 45 traps and got 300 crayfishes!

[@robgrubb420]

that is a pretty sweet trap, what brand is that and where did you get them?

[@krisC2U]

that water looks sooooo swimmable

[@caddisguy]

It is incredible for swimming and snorkelling. The crayfish are a bonus!! :)

[@yuriypodgorniak3895]

that's a pretty cool video hopefully one day I'll do the same

[@djsvancouverislandbushcraft]

hey where is this i’m looking for a spot on vancouver island to go and get them and what is the best bait you would say

[@thegamerredneck6603]

When you catch one catch it from behind there tail is how they escape and they'll swim backwards

[@modslot]

I know this lake well, fished for trout and these tasty bugger too. I won't give the name to because you didn't. Good video.

[@alexhubert5425]

Bacon on a string !!!They don't like to let go!!! Got 40 In two hours in Bowen Park!! The big oners that destroy salmon streams

[@billrosmus6734]

Anyone know any places around Kamloops where you can catch them, or is it only the lower mainland? Shuswap?

[@sycsweatyssidechannel8760]

I like crayfish throw and they look like cards

[@nguyennguyenkn]

Damn, the water is clear as day.

[@hgzhang327]

Awesome! Could you pls share the location?

[@chasingthegoodlifeshorts]

hey. im from bc in white rock and was wondering exacty where you can catch and eat them. thank you

[@caddisguy]

Most lakes and drainages connected or close to the Fraser River hold crayfish. Putting a trap in is the best way to find out. Good luck!

[@penivaomoealofa4326]

+caddisguy what do you use for the bait, is it sausage??

[@Edgunsuk]

are those traps legal ? in the uk the opening has to be to small to let otters etc enter them and die yours look big enuff for beaver to get in ?

[@Edgunsuk]

I have the same sort of expanding traps obviously bought from the uk and the entrance is the size of a golf ball was just wondering was not being negative.

[@yaxizhang9455]

Canada water is so clean...clean water clean fish...

[@jilindragon]

where is it?so nice and clean

[@lukashomolicki]

Wow congrates on getting one million views on this vid maybe make a part 2

[@schlirf]

Used to catch Crayfish in Connecticut by looking under rocks and being very quick, your method(s) look a bit more adventurous. But one quick quick question if I may, Where exactly was this filmed?

[@squamishfish]

this was filmed around 1.5 hours East of Vancouver Canada it known as the Fraser Valley

[@davidczarco]

wow such a beautiful place

[@chilluout]

Great video! I'm trying to order the same traps from RonnieSunshine as well. Do you remember how much they charged for shipping? The website won't give me shipping charges and I don't want to be hit with a massive charge when it is shipped. Thanks!

[@outdoormadness4449]

Hey Caddisguy, nice vid! I'm a fellow BC'er looking for more adventure. Can you tell me where you bought those traps (and who manufactured them in case the retailer no longer carries)? I need some smaller traps for my boat and yours look perfect. Thanks!

[@caddisguy]

+Jabber Jabber I ordered them from a place in the UK called ronniesunshines.com. Their website appears to be down at the moment, but I think they are still around. thecrayfishcompany.com/crayfish-traps.html appears to have very similar ones. A google search "foldable crayfish trap" seems to give a lot of similar results too.

[@caddisguy]

+Jabber Jabber Hmm I just tried www.ronniesunshines.com/crayfish-trap-crab-or-fish-pot again and it seems to be working now. That is where I ordered from, many many years ago. The traps held up nice, though I did have to repair a few zippers. Not sure if they still have the issue with the zipping being able to slide ride of the tracks, but sewing the ends of the zippers fixes the issue so they don't come off and get lost (I had to replace an entire zipper!) ... also some of the bigger signal crayfish are strong enough to rip up the bait bag which happened to one of mine, but it's easy enough to make / tie on your own bait bags, as seen on the video :)

[@outdoormadness4449]

+caddisguy thanks. I saw that site but didn't want to order international (irrational fear). I found what looks like an identical product at Cabelas made by Promar. Think I'll give it a go. I built some wire traps but they are a PITA to store and move. Your vid put me on to this style trap so thanks again. Few more months and bugs should be more active I would think. You ever tried trapping in the winter months? I'm in the interior so colder than where you're at but it'd give me some idea what our Canadian crays can handle as far as temperature. I've read that some almost hibernate but not sure that is relevant to the signals here.

[@caddisguy]

Jabber Jabber I find that in smaller drainages, they start coming out as early as March/April. In lakes, they seem to start coming out in May, but come few in far between until summer is in full swing. August through October are the magic months! I do believe they hibernate in mud, in/under rotten logs, etc. Flipping logs and catching by hand works in the off season.

[@troutwardbound]

Wow nice pull!

[@crayster3926]

Very cool guys, Mike from Crayster

[@caddisguy]

+Crayster Thank you sir! Mighty fine crayfishing videos you have up on your channel too!! Check out Crayster's vids folks!!

[@crayster3926]

I checked it out, very cool. Keep up the good work. Mike!

[@domonotell9290]

Crayster q

[@lieutenantpliskin]

Crayster wow! Fancy seeing you here!

[@itoroots7291]

Great fishing

[@ghostofmars83]

Those are pretty big! Wow!!!

[@MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

Wow, nice catch. How long are the largest crayfish total bodywise? They look like the signal crayfish species,large?

[@caddisguy]

Thanks! Yes you are right. They are signal crayfish. We usually end up with a few between 5.5-6.5 inch body size (the "monsters") but 4-5 inches is pretty common and makes up most of what we keep.

[@monkegamer4953]

where did you go crayfishing?

[@leonardoturtle9749]

I saw another post that said there was a 25 count limit on them. Is that per person, per day/week/year? Just curious about the regulations.

[@caddisguy]

In this region the daily quota per person is 25. The possession quota is 2x the daily quota which allows for the possession of 50 per person. There are no weekly or annual limits. Here is a link to the regulations: www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/docs/1719/fishing_synopsis_2017-19_region2.pdf Some additional fun facts which are not in the regulations... for example, I have a letter from the ministry clarifying that bait bans do not apply to crayfish, so you can even use bait for crayfish in bodies of water where bait is not otherwise allowed for fishing.

[@gregbernard5858]

Were Bullheads the big males?

[@chickenfriedbobcat6090]

I went swimming in the Washougal river in South West Washington, they had a set of fish ladders that were covered with steel grates and you could only access from the lowest ladder. You had to take a deep breath, swim up through a few ladders and then you got to the ladder where the walls were crawling with big crawdads. You grabbed as many as you could while holding your breath. These were 7 or 8 inches long. Tough work but good eating.

[@crumb9cheese]

Wow they are huge.

[@davidhill6452]

what is the name of those traps? I would like to pick up a few. thanks!

[@Grouperhunter]

Nice video!

[@quinterod1000]

where did you get the traps who makes them

[@2845-x5w]

what type of trap is that and where can I by it?

[@danielvallieres3163]

I'm pretty sure that is an Elk Antler right infront of your trap, is that there on purpose?

[@caddisguy]

That would be pretty amazing, as we are avid hunters and are contently shed hunting... and if there is an Elk antler, we are still missing it! Can you tell us what minute/second marker it is at? Though not many Elk in the area, about 80-100kms east, Elk territory begins. It is certainly possible.

[@danielvallieres3163]

My Fault! I had too much wine and mistook a branch for a shed! Sorry to get your hopes up! great video, it looks like so much fun out there!

[@paulschmidt1644]

Sweet haul!!!

[@1crazybouncer]

Those are some nice size

[@GurrasGarage]

Cool, the water in my pond isn't that clear, harder to spot my crayfish :)

[@caddisguy]

Definitely more difficult in murky water. Sometimes signal crayfish give themselves away because of the white spots between their pincers... other species are probably more difficult

[@GurrasGarage]

We have the signal crayfish also but they are an invasive species here, my crayfish are our native noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) biggest difference are the red spots instead of white spots :)

[@kdockrill4592]

Where in the Fraser valley was this?

[@dxakuma]

Hi dude were is the lake u catch the cary fish??

[@Timanator]

Wow they look so different from the ones we have here in Texas. Too bad KZbin still havnt figured out how to allow posting picture in the comments.

[@5urg3x]

You actually eat them? Wow. What are bullheads?

[@cade2561]

A species of catfish

[@caddisguy]

+surgeyX We eat the crayfish, not the other fish (which someone pointed out are actually sculpins) Crayfish taste great... somewhere between lobster and prawn.

[@reeeking4335]

4:23 very clean

[@easyplayz8438]

What kind of bait did you use?

[@MylesNicholas]

We use a rope and plastic bottle float, so the traps can be pulled up from a boat, so much easier. An old oil container is best. Oh and a tablespoon of brown sugar added to the pot is best.

[@yourface3154]

An old oil container? Did you really just suggest using an oil container in a body of water?

[@trippytoxin]

Triston Charge if you're too damn lazy to rinse the oil container maybe you shouldn't be the one using them

[@yourface3154]

IAMJAYZON You can't just "rinse" an oil container, smart one.

[@bigdogbob845]

You do realize he is using the old oil jug with a Tight Fitting Lid so that it is a Float, right ? No Oil Spill there ! ! !

[@justenmacdonald7876]

I just cut up a pool noodle and ran a rope in the middle. Works pretty awesome for marking your traps 👍

[@samantharamirez3222]

What are bullheads??

[@jmars8831]

Cut up bullheads make great bait... Looks like a good dinner!

[@caddisguy]

I wish we could. The thought has crossed my mind before!! However, by law in BC, all fin-fish caught in crayfish traps must be released.

[@iusoloman1527]

what do you mean when you say removing the "bull heads"?

[@rosarosal695]

It's a type of fish.

[@mrmojorisin9729]

iu soloman catfsh fingerlings (minnows)

[@nzplayershawkesbay7074]

usually putting the breeders back makes sense?.. or is that just a brown thing XD..

[@caddisguy]

We release any with eggs or young which happens late spring or early summer. If by breeders you mean "big ones" they pretty much breed at any size and they all get pretty big.

[@stephenbasug4687]

where is this

[@PINOYDUBBED-i7y]

how did you make those traps??

[@hagemaro]

Not Cultus Lake right?

[@canusaycanadianbacon]

What are bullheads

[@ZODAGAWD]

which lake is this???

[@drskinner5255]

Y u remove the bullheads.

[@smokeydoke100]

What are Bullheads, and why don't you want them?

[@jameshaddaway1921]

+Maxwell Edison Bullheads are catfish

[@smokeydoke100]

James Haddaway Thank you.

[@metroid158]

At first i thought they meant bullhead catfish at first but when i saw the fish in the trap they are actually a species of freshwater sculpin, most likely prickly sculpin, most people call them bullheads or mudsuckers though

[@theCuchuoi1]

beautiful place!!!

[@kojtatungobing6297]

Upload video on how to make this traps.

[@kaydenwins753]

where are you at on this vid