How to Catch Crayfish (UK Crayfishing)

Don't forget its a criminal offence to put a signal crayfish back in the river after catching one (no matter how small)!!!!
For more information please see my article below:
wellhungfood.co...
Best trap to buy (Amazon): amzn.to/2sbiwIA
assets.publish...

[@wuffothewonderdog]

It is vitally important that the nets/traps are completely disinfected after use. The American Signal Crayfish lays thousands of eggs and if these remain on the equipment and they are used on a different river then the invasive specie will easily spread and wipe out the native crayfish via a disease that the American specie carries. So really clean and then expose to sunlight as the fellow said.

[@gavinreid2741]

Intresting. I wonder if that is how crayfish recently appeared in a lake near me. Although fishing is prohibited but it doesn't stop them.

[@GurrasGarage]

Same happened here in Sweden, those pesky american signal crayfish has killed of most of our swedish flodkräfta "Ascatus Ascatus" but I have started breeding them in my pond :)

[@georgealderson4424]

I really enjoyed the viďeo Sir. The only disappointment for me was that it was too short. Also I would have liked to see you preparing them to be eaten. Thank you

[@pappy1812]

Can't wait to get going. 2 questions for you though. 1 where do you get your traps from & 2 how do you know what's a good spot to catch them? (excellent camera work by the way 👍)

[@garethbarton6510]

Good little type video but from a fellow anglers a huge welcome on Kenton my disinfecting nets, safest way to prevent the likes of khv and other desieses spreading in waterways early so many still don't dry nets out of understand the reason why....planning to trap some maths this year myself properly for the first time. 👍

[@steverough1310]

Do you need to apply for a licence for every stretch of river you want to try catching them?

[@sammysock]

What kind of river will you find them? Your catches look like they came from very calm ponds.

[@grumpyoldman1618]

There is an easier traditional way. You need a flat circular net about 2 ft across, bait it, drop it using a pole, drop about 20 at night, walk back to the first one and lift it, you get about 10 on each lift, a couple of buckets of them in an hour or two.

[@dotkoi3233]

This is a massive problem. Shows just how bad invasive species are and what damage they are capable of doing.. good work matey . I wasn't expecting to see so many in one tiny pool..

[@network735]

beavers and otters did realise we had those

[@Jim553just]

I am interested in catching and cooking some/lots of these. I have seen a confusing amount of methods showing how to remove the intestines and cook the crayfish. Would you show a safe way of doing this? I enjoy your uploads, don't stop. 😊

[@WellHungFood]

If its lots of them I wouldn't bother, just leave them in some fresh water for a day or so for them to purge. A cheap aquarium aerator is handy for this, otherwise you'll need to change the water regularly so they don't run out of air.

[@jamiereekie9342]

Can you eat them once caught?

[@cyberdan1000]

I am sure you are correct by calling them American Crayfish but I have never seen anything like it here. I am in northern California. Ours are almost black with thousands of red spot. But, after several minutes in boiling water they become very red and delicious. On my next vacation to the UK I plan on bringing some new traps to try mud bugging on the canals. (I usually get a canal boat) What does a visitor fishing license cost?

[@WellHungFood]

North America has more varieties of crayfish than anywhere else (over 300!) but these American Signal Crayfish come from the Pacific Northwest, although sadly have spread to California and further inland. The license is completely free but does take some time to arrive, possibly worth applying before you leave and having them sent to a friend's house if you can. However it can be problematic crayfishing in some of our Canals as the body in charge doesn't allow it. Although as the application is free there is no harm in sending one in. Good luck and hope you have fun!

[@WillPreston3D]

wow, you caught loads, i live on the wylye river in wiltshire, i know there are American cray fish in there, how do you choose a good spot? shallow water? slow moving? can i then put the captured CF in my pond?

[@happymoonshobbies]

Very useful information, thank you.

[@kansasboi8742]

hay im from the us and i wanted to know if you need to worry about small parsites you need to look for before eating them????

[@tonylovering4672]

Might be a good idea to mention that below 10 degrees water temp you wont catch them.

[@pearlthemoho7869]

How do you purge them before eating them.

[@zulihalme4163]

is the river near heathrow airport

[@paulfitzpatrick8470]

Good luck to you catch em all and save our rivers.

[@randomguy956]

Its too late to save any rivers at this point lol

[@carlhatton6315]

Can you trap in any freshwater stream or river ?

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

are there any good spots in Stratford upon Avon and Warwick

[@babinrai6222]

Hi I am really interested in crayfishing and trying to apply for a license. But I don't know where to set traps in Lincolnshire area. We got river Bain but not sure if we are allowed. Can you please help me find the legal places in Lincoln and the northern part of the country.Thank you

[@WellHungFood]

Hi Babin, from what I've read the River Bain is crawling with them! This link should tell you more about trapping them and how to get a free license to trap them. Good luck and let me know how you get on!

[@BUSHCRAPPING]

can you trap them on public land with a license? i catch them by rod and line all the time on a public stretch o the river and would love to be able to trap them

[@lunarose9]

@@BUSHCRAPPING almost all canals and rivers are public land

[@BUSHCRAPPING]

@@lunarose9 yeah but just because it is public doesn't mean people don't own the sole fishing rights

[@barnabymorley4503]

@@BUSHCRAPPING depends on bylaws on who owns the river for e.g is it ran/owned by a fishing club or is it owned by the land owner (river section keeper). There are not many places you will find public land as most rivers in the UK have weird heritage rules, best thing to do is contact your local fishing clubs see if they now or farmers. You can contact the EA direct to check on the location if they know who it belongs to. I know the Anglian Trust do have some notes on rivers as its a ownership and Canal Trust might be able to help as around Lincolnshire the canal trust do run a lot of sections.

[@antoniocipriano4174]

Nice video. Where in the UK is a good place to catch them?

[@metalmark8]

Have you got a link for it? You said you were putting one in description but I can't find one for that.. Cheers dude and well done

[@WellHungFood]

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612046/CR1.pdf There you go mate, sorry it was in the article link but not the description. Now edited it. Good luck!

[@jaystpp]

Any recommendations in Cambridgeshire?

[@mrcina8621]

Nice catch

[@ouchacho]

VERY GOOD

[@TehBCB3AST]

Hey, great video!! I'm wondering where you fish? Also, I live in Richmond just outside of South West London would the river Thames be a good spot where I am? or should I move further out of the city? As they look delicious and maybe sell to local fishmongers to make some extra cash. Thanks!

[@MrBunjoy]

Hi guys. What is the best time of the year to go crayfishing ?

[@kmrrecovery8562]

Please see attached our response to your crayfish trapping application. We do not allow trapping of crayfish in Yorkshire other than for scientific purposes, therefore your application has been refused. Regards, Frances

[@JamesWestVideo]

Which trap would you say is the best?

[@cnamfault6010]

any streams in doncaster ? already tried the river don and want a change. Thankss :)

[@stuartwhiting4365]

Cool vid🖒 I've didn't know about a licence and I've been catching them for years! I don't seem to be able to see the link to the EA????

[@WellHungFood]

Hi Stuart, sorry the link seems to have been changed! Try this www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612046/CR1.pdf

[@richrav742]

Can you eat them ?

[@adamthompson9835]

Where’s the best locations to fish?

[@angiescottwildcamping4472]

hi dude just orderd 2 of them foldable uk traps you have where was you there on your video thankyou for your help info ATB Angie&Scott

[@WellHungFood]

Fantastic, let me know how you get on!

[@thomasmcdougall8059]

@@WellHungFood think he's fell in the water with his pot his pots been found but no man 😂

[@pantherapadus]

Hi where can I buy these traps from please

[@pantherapadus]

@@thomasmcdougall8059 thanks mate

[@thomasmcdougall8059]

@@pantherapadus if you are in the UK apply for the lobster pot license you will get a permit and 10 lobster pot tags you can apply for it on this link east-riding-self.achieveservice.com/service/Amendment_to_Permit_Form

[@timrichards5628]

do you need a licence for bacon on string?

[@jackbeckett2838]

How do you go about getting permission if you're not fishing on your own land?

[@patmc9833]

Hi mate what river was this?

[@ryanagar7498]

can you keep and eat them?

[@sukistachhouse149]

Do you have to purge them ?

[@squamishfish]

No it is a Canadian signal crayfish from west of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia Canada , and on Vancouver island,

[@WellHungFood]

True, but in Europe it's known as the north American signal crayfish, often just shortened to the American signal crayfish. I probably should have mentioned that's it's native range is also in Canada as well as Washington, Oregon etc but in the interest of brevity I shortened it a bit. Sorry if I missed out the Canadian aspect!

[@squamishfish]

@@WellHungFood thanks there is a few different species in North America , I am just wondering why they choose this species to bring to The UK? Considering though we have lots of them here in western North America it is more popular in the American South east and a different species is used there for commercial use ,Thanks

[@matthewfountain2721]

Do the crayfish need to be dead/stunned before leaving the river where they were caught? How would you do this?

[@WellHungFood]

You can't really stun them, just kill them or let me live. I take them away from the river live, and I kill them humanely at home. Just make sure they don't escape.

[@Thegingerfilmmaker]

How do I choose a good location for trapping?

[@WellHungFood]

Once you've found a river with crayfish the rest is trial and error really. It's vital that the trap lies flat on the bottom, so avoid excessive reeds/vegetation. I often find parallel to the side of the river bank works well.

[@dwbrownz]

What was the tin you killed by stabbing it, then chucked in to the net rather than the bait bag - additional stinky bait ?

[@WellHungFood]

Cat food! Spiked tin protects the contents from the crayfish so no need to faff about with the bait bag.

[@dwbrownz]

@@WellHungFood Ah, thought as much !

[@djwasteman13]

Hi I live in south East London, is there any good places near here ?

[@1ksubswithnovideos402]

Any river system in Britain

[@nbrowne73]

That crayfish at 3.02 looks like and English white clawed crayfish !!??.

[@WellHungFood]

Hi @skeinwinder73 not sure what gave you that id. If you slow down the footage you can see it very clearly flashing the bright red underside of its claws. Its just a young signal. Equally if you freeze frame it you can just make out the shape of the nostrum and the fact it has two post orbital ridges rather than one. Why do you think its a native?

[@jxucantab]

Does anyone successfully applied a license recently? I applied a few months ago but the environment agency keeps saying process has been suspended due to short of staff. Very upset.

[@nozero1]

No, I'm in the same boat and have had my applications rejected multiple times. They stopped issuing them over the COVID period and even now they're still saying they don't have the staff or time to issue them.

[@nozero1]

Just to update you, I applied for a license a month ago and the application was finally accepted! I got my license a few weeks later, so I think it is safe for you to reapply now.

[@kevinlewis3029]

I have applied for a trap license, which can take 10-20days do I need a licence to catch Cray fish with a string ?

[@jotrash2759]

You don't need a license In some areas of the uk . Check out the gov uk website

[@countbasingstoke]

Do you still need license for bacon and string?

[@WellHungFood]

I think technically you do, but I would be absolutely shocked if an Environment Agency official kicked up a fuss about it, providing you aren't doing it in the rare places our indigenous crayfish still exist.

[@DJLSWFC]

Do you need to purge them before eating?

[@WellHungFood]

I normally try to as I don't know what they've been eating. If you've only got a handful you can devein them instead. The best way to devein, is to humanely dispatch them. Then on the tail take the middle flap between your fingers, twist it 180 degrees and pull. It should come away with the whole gut tract.

[@bulletproofc2141]

Hi I live Manchester could I get any recommendations for places

[@WellHungFood]

Callum Hunter it looks like you might have one of the last populations of our endangered species in Manchester so you might have to go further a field. May be best going to Cheshire or Lancashire. If you apply for a license for a river the Environment Agency officer will tell you if there are signal crayfish. Good luck!

[@chrisburgess7756]

Clifton Marina or Queensmere Dam. North Manchester and both infested now.

[@mistyclapz9775]

Hi where were you crayfishing in the video plz

[@WellHungFood]

Oxfordshire

[@yisun9018]

@@WellHungFood may I ask where about Oxfordshire,I have been to port meadow and got nothing,thx

[@cubixxxl]

Pretty much in the south of UK you don't really need a licence, you can look it up online it giving you the post codes.

[@WellHungFood]

Hi Lucian, the license is mainly to stop people from accidentally catching our almost extinct native species. There are a couple of places in the south (River Itchen, River Test) where native white clawed still exist. If you're caught on any of these rivers its very likely you will be prosecuted. The license is completely free and easy to apply.

[@cubixxxl]

Well Hung Food thanks for the info where about I am catching it's only one species as far as I seen and heard from locals just the lantern ones, but wich it's the link to apply for one as I look online and could not find anything I just found some postcodes that you don't need licence for it so that's why I am fishing there.

[@Anonymousgamer-gi7kj]

I applied for a License and registered my Mesh foldable trap. I am gonna save up for a metal trap as well!@@WellHungFood

[@honghaozheng5325]

Thanks! It was a great video. I have a question. Do you need to pay for the membership for catching crayfish in the UK? Because I know that all the inland fishing rights are privately owned by people. Something like membership from canal & river trust? Because I used to pay to the local fishing club for fishing in the canal.

[@WellHungFood]

You shouldn't have to pay for anything for crayfish. Sea fishing in the UK is completely free, but as you said river fishing is more complex. For river fishing you need to buy an annual rod license from the post office, and also potentially have a fishing permit for the river that you are on. Fishing permits are a private transaction between the landowner and yourself, costing between £50 a year or even £200 a day depending on where you are. For crayfish none of these rules apply. Instead you need a license from the Environment Agency. Its completely free and I've talked about it in the video. You will also need landowners permission. In my experience private landowners will never charge you, and I've always been granted permission. At the end of the day crayfish cost them a huge amount of money in terms of bank erosion and also eating the fish. Most people are pretty happy for you to remove them! However I believe some publicly owned canals can be a bit tricky for this.

[@honghaozheng5325]

@@WellHungFood many thanks mate! That cleared a lot of my concerns. It is quite sunny in recently weeks. And hopefully I will have some lucks in catching some crayfish :)

[@jacksmith1983]

​@@WellHungFoodo

[@doubles6508]

Bread, maggots, worms, luncheon meat, sweetcorn, trout pellets, boilies, cheese, and prawns. All the baits I’ve caught them on whilst fishing on my local river. Nothing these nuisances won’t eat!

[@iancockell3266]

how do i get a licence for crayfish.river lea thames

[@WellHungFood]

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612046/CR1.pdf Thats the application!

[@jonmiller7181]

How long would yi usay to leave traps out for?

[@WellHungFood]

No longer than 24 hours. They're more active at night, so best to leave overnight. You don't want to leave it any longer than 24 hours though, it's not particularly humane and you should be checking traps regularly so that you can let anything out that shouldn't be there. I once accidentally caught a trout once, so it does happen!

[@jonmiller7181]

@@WellHungFood ah I see. Well I know about the 24hr legalities but wasn't sure quite how long it would take and I certainly didn't know or expect them to be more active at night. Thanks!

[@weicai604]

where I can go to trap crayish in Surrey please ?

[@BIRDSDHKHK]

The fisheries team of the Environment agency themselves will give you advice on where to trap if you call up

[@eggwith10ksubscribers83]

Can u catch them in the see

[@TheMoistGrapefruit]

Any recommendations on where to go near Glasgow?

[@BIRDSDHKHK]

The fisheries team of the Environment agency themselves will give you advice on where to trap if you call up

[@matthewlangton3148]

Scottish nob

[@travisbickle5584]

How difficult is it to get a license? Do you approach the EA or the landowner first?

[@barnabymorley4503]

landowner the EA is a online form you can get through there website assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612046/CR1.pdf thats the pdf form

[@kmrrecovery8562]

Please see attached our response to your crayfish trapping application. We do not allow trapping of crayfish in Yorkshire other than for scientific purposes, therefore your application has been refused. Regards, Frances

[@StomerMadGermzOfficial]

Didn't know Mr Bean catches crayfish

[@KB-vr9jo]

Omg I want to do that like that

[@johnwalker4559]

can you keep them as pets after catching

[@WellHungFood]

Definitely not. They're seen as a real environmental problem. If you get caught keeping them you could get a huge fine. I think you can buy a different species of crayfish from pet shops reasonably cheaply but you would obviously need all the equipment. Also not sure how wise it would be keeping such delicious pets, might not last that long!

[@robertbelcher9812]

Great video! How tasty are these? Comparable to langostines or lobster?

[@WellHungFood]

Nothing tastes as good as langostines! Closer to eating small lobster. I would say crayfish are to lobster what trout is to salmon. Hope that helps!

[@robertbelcher9812]

Well Hung Food thanks for the info. Ive just ordered a trap and will apply for my license on monday :)

[@potatopie2845]

Crayfish are langoustines but the langoustines is just the crayfish meat

[@scottishcanaltrash7067]

@@potatopie2845 This is wrong.

[@tennyson23]

did you leave the traps in over night?

[@WellHungFood]

I did. Crayfish and more active at night so its best to come back the next day. You can still catch them in the day though!

[@ogkushdagaming161]

england or wales please?

[@WellHungFood]

I believe it's the same, although that may have changed. When I applied for my trap permits I applied for rivers in both England and Wales. I had a phone call from the fisheries officer in Pembrokeshire who explained that (fortunately) Signal Crayfish hadn't reached the area yet and as such they wouldn't grant a license to catch something that didn't exist. He was very helpful and said that if things did change they would be happy to grant one. This was about 8 years ago. Things may have changed, but as there haven't been huge changes to devolution or government since I would reckon it probably still holds. Hope this helps!

[@TheChernoInferno]

Anyone know any places to catch them in Manchester need a place to put on the liscence so I know there’s some at the place I’m liscenced for

[@bulletproofc2141]

Heaton park

[@damienlovestheoutdoorsandr6110]

Ribble valley

[@F10-m5w]

What do you do once they are caught ??

[@WellHungFood]

Boil for about 3 minutes. Devour them like that with some lemon juice and mayonnaise or turn into potted crayfish, souffle, ravioli, spaghetti etc. Lots of tasty options!

[@F10-m5w]

Well Hung Food Thanks

[@elegantnoir6999]

The Wild Side y'all need Zatarain's seasoning, red potatoes, onion, garlic, corn on the cob, lemon, tabasco and some boudin sausage along with cold beer, zydeco and a yard full of family and friends for a proper crawfish boil. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Its Mardi Gras season y'all!!!

[@WillTheBassPlayer]

With our American invaders hard at work, phase II of the Revolution can begin!!!!

[@silverismoney]

I'm considering trapping them in the Great river Ouse, but I dunno if I wanna eat them, that river isn't the cleanest one.

[@WellHungFood]

BECOME ONE WITH THE DIRT

[@WellHungFood]

Sorry. Probably shouldn't write on KZbin after the pub. I wouldn't worry to much about how clean the water is. Crayfish live in pretty disgusting places. Just give them a proper wash and leave them in some clean water for a few hours to purge. Don't forget that you're going to be cooking them, so anything nasty should be taken care of.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

@@WellHungFood lmao

[@anthonyhinchliffe1142]

Hey let's meet up and go crayfishing

[@billslim1112]

Crayfishing is one of the most frustrating types of finish. He makes it look so easy the reality is much different

[@WellHungFood]

Hi mate, any chance you could elaborate on what the true reality of crayfishing is?

[@billslim1112]

Well for a start i must have been crayfishing atleast 20 times and I have not once caught a crayfish using the bacon on the string method. As for using the trap, whenever i bring it back up I get like 4 or 5 crayfish. I didn’t mean to offend you I just found it hard to believe that you just put the trap in the water then 15+ crayfish were inside it.

[@WellHungFood]

@@billslim1112 Sounds like you haven't found a decent spot then. When trying new areas I don't always find them. However I know of a good handful of places where I would be disappointed if I didn't get at least 10 per trap. Sometimes I've had 40+ per trap over multiple traps. Hope you find some better spots!

[@bradleymarky8294]

Are they worth eating

[@WellHungFood]

They're like little lobsters from a river. They're delicious!

[@Edgunsuk]

What county are you in , doing a tour of the uk in a van in 2 weeks want to try this on my way round ide appreciate a head start on where to go contact me via usk valley forge on facebook if you refer im a blacksmith and custom knife maker .

[@algirdasvainelavicius4495]

hi where you catch cray fish please?

[@jimjoelliejack]

Beavers!,!

[@suecollins3246]

Don't like music in a video.

[@jimjoelliejack]

Never mind love

[@zealwarriorgaming5315]

I heard that in my area getting a license for crayfish fishing is just £5 a year, I'm thinking of getting one and do some fishing (government must be desperate to get rid of them)

[@WellHungFood]

Hi Zeal, it should be completely free in the UK!

[@Repcitykickz]

How long did you leave the trap for?

[@WellHungFood]

Overnight!

[@Repcitykickz]

@@WellHungFood thankyou

[@teddyturner6859]

Any rivers in Manchester I’d love take my kids they would 😍

[@ThomasBagshaw]

I think Stake Hill in Middleton has them

[@emmas5524]

Hi I there i am really interested in crayfishing . But I don't know where to set the traps as i am in YORKSHIRE area. Can you please help me find the legal places in YORKSHIRE part of the country.Thank you for your help xx

[@WellHungFood]

Yorkshire still has a population of the endangered native crayfish, so it's even more important to make sure get permission from the Environment Agency. Seems like the Aire, the don and the river Calder all might have crayfish. When you apply for your license (free) the EA will tell you if the river you have applied for had signal crayfish. Whatever you do, don't just do it regardless. Someone illegally caught native crayfish on the River Kent and was fined £4000. Good luck!

[@FluffyNoble]

I don't think you need any licence to fish for them in the Leeds Liverpool canal , could be wrong though

[@theflyingmagnet4095]

davidboi277 you need a licence to fish for them anywhere in uk

[@kmrrecovery8562]

@@WellHungFood Please see attached our response to your crayfish trapping application. We do not allow trapping of crayfish in Yorkshire other than for scientific purposes, therefore your application has been refused. Regards, Frances

[@mcr_rxyxn18]

Any tips for how to find the right place to set the traps?

[@mcahunatv3590]

Really good video, nice simple advice.

[@Axisbal]

Effort mate

[@rthd4055]

what bait is best for crawfishing

[@WellHungFood]

I've had good success with bacon, cat food, fish heads and a chicken carcass. I know professional trappers use road kill or salmon skin leftover from fish smokers.