Pond-To-Table: Non-native crayfish

[@captainkeyes9913]

Thanks odfw, I didn't know we had a crawfish problem. I'll be sure to hunt em next time I go swimming.

[@KalebLewis]

thats awesome! me and my dad are gonna head to this pond next spring and catch us some crawfish and boil em

[@akkad7514]

Very educational, thanks folks

[@sebastianmichalek8562]

These invasive species videos are amazing. Any way you could do one on areas people could hunt nutria? I myself am very into hunting invasive species of all kind.

[@fredflintstone1547]

that first one looks like the ones out here in Cali. you can catch them by hand or with a hotdog on a string. i made a hardware cloth crawdad trap in my early 20's that turned out to be an excellent minnow trap, but a terrible crawfish trap. Crawfish do better than anything else in California's modern suburban creek beds.

[@eattheinvaders.3037]

"Down" here in Cali. Not "out here in Cali. It depends on where you go. There are certain rivers south of San Ftan Bay that have big big signal crayfish. In Northern Cali it's almost exclusively signal crayfish.

[@janemclean9293]

Makes a delicious meal! Wayyyy better than lobster. They’re worth $$$

[@rninpdx513]

Is there an online map of places to go hunting for these critters?

[@eattheinvaders.3037]

No. No such data base exists. Are you interested specifically in invasive species?

[@eattheinvaders.3037]

Okay. Since this video was produced by ODFW, it's necessary point out how they were remiss. The guys in this video aren't the ones who set the angling rules. But, It is not legal to use a baited hook for catching crayfish. Says as much in the regulations. Has to do with making sure there's no excuse to use a baited hook in a stream that is restricted to artificial flies and luhrs or closed to angling. Accidentally catching a crawdad on a bated hook where bait is allowed is not illegal. Intentionally doing so can get you a huge fine.

[@mo_philosophyw5414]

Southern Oregon style

[@Chunk01]

I was here for my first time recently and caught one on a spinner lol

[@Dreuh2001]

Is this the EE Wilson angling pond?

[@eattheinvaders.3037]

Not sure the specific name of the pond. But they did say the location. Adair, Oregon.

[@jaydaking2328]

Anyone * what is the name of the pond they say in the beginning I can’t catch it lol

[@saltywaltPDX]

Do they taste good?

[@sebastianmichalek8562]

Much better than lobster lol

[@bonerici]

Better than shrimp

[@eattheinvaders.3037]

Yes. However the flavor varies mildly by location and greatly by species. If you're going to eat mudbugs (that's a specific reference to swamp crayfish) then you need to purge them for about 48-72 hours. Signals, ringed, and rustles may need purged depending on habitat and how recently they've eaten. Personally, I dont bother with a purge if they were caught in a clean stream with a stone bed. For best flavor, do not cook whole crayfish. Cook only the tails and claws. Use plenty of salt, but far less than you would for crab. If you want to prepare a dish using the tails, they can be blanched in one minute flat to make shelling possible. If you wish to eat them as is, then boil for 10 minutes. Mud vein can be removed prior to cooking, but is not necessary as it is easily removed after cooking. Lastly check the regulations because a catch method mentioned in this video happens to be illegal. ODFW should warn you in their video seeing as they mentioned the technique. No baited hooks for catching crayfish.

[@roberthodge2771]

@@eattheinvaders.3037 On 9/26/2023 morning the ODF told me that 100 per day and 300 in possession limits. Cook them each day maybe?

[@roberthodge2771]

I asked them if we are to throw back the tiny ones as too little to eat? Got a snort. Also was told in 2020 that throwing a invasive back is illegal. Make up their minds would be nice.

[@SWishV13]

Just go make them into delicious food ;)