How do i catch crayfish in uk rivers?

Question

Hi . i want to catch some crayfish . Ive seen it done on tv and want to try it myself. So how do i catch them ? What bait should i use ? How do i present the bait?

A phatt 10 points for the best answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

go to e-bay and get a collapsible net trap, approx £5.

go to any river and weight the trap down with a decent size rock, puncture a can of dog or cat food and put this into the trap as well, you don,t need too many holes, its just really for slow release of the bait.

go back daily and check. if that stretch is unproductive then just move the whole lot and try again  

Answer 2

I'm going to assume crayfish in the UK are about like crayfish in the US.  Take a milk carton and cut it in half.  Sink the lower half in a shallow part of the stream or river (put a rock in it; the lip of the carton should be just under the surface by about 1").  Put a half-slab of bacon in the carton, and come back the next day.  You'll have crayfish.

Answer 3

First of all, there are native crayfish and there are non native crayfish. The native ones, are getting scarce and are dying out cos of the crayfish plaque introduced with the non native american species. Personally I would ask you to leave native ones alone.

According to the Environment Agency, any crayfish trapping is illegal without a licence. There are hefty fines for illegal trapping. The EA specify waters where and how trapping may be done, and with what sort of traps, and they must also be uniquely tagged using supplied tags. The traps must also be "otter friendly" and securely tied down to avoid them causing an obstruction in waterways.

I have tried contacting the EA for a licence but get no-where with them.

The big american crayfish is spreading the disease (harmless to man) that is destroying the native populations. They eat everything in the rivers and lakes, and undermine the banks. They are big and aggresive. They are an alien species that needs controlling. Yet the EA seem to do their utmost to protect them.

So officially, either get a licence from the Environment Agency - or don't do it.

But just between you and me, they will eat just about anything. A piece of bacon on a string will do it. There are crayfish traps available on the internet - try www.uk-discount-fishing-tackle.co.uk but remember it is illegal without a licence. Since licences are only issued to EA staff who have a dinner party you could simply try the otter friendly method of turning over a few stones in a stream. The american crayfish have red on the claws. You will be surprised how quick you can get enough for a salad.  

Answer 4

Here is what worked for us.

Buy a crayfish trapp on line and put a open can of soft catfood in it.

place in stream or pond and come back dayly.

good luck

Answer 5

Get some sort of bottle. put any meat in it. submerge it in the water. make sure it doesnt float. come backthe next day and youll have a crayfish.

or try using your hands