Hey all. I couldn't find much on the FWC regs so not sure if running traps is even legal. I was thinking escambia has plenty of spots but not sure if I want to go out in my fiberglass boat on account of all the stumps. I'll be building a mud boat in a few years when my son is old enough to enjoy it, but if I can get to less stumpy areas that hold crawfish, and is legal, wanted to see how/what to use for bait etc.
advobwhite
Doubt your gonna feed a family on Escambia crawfish - unless your using them to bait trot lines. Most of what you'll find are gonna be small
Advobwhite &Try'n Hard.......The mudbugs are there....... depending on the time of the year and water conditions, flooding vs normal, low water conditions.
Three year crawfish study from a retired FWC co-worker.... ten to twelve traps, check every other day. He would bring back 40-50 nice size "bugs" ,for identification purpose and abundance. Bait traps with Friskies can cat food .....pop the top, did not peel the top off, threw it in the trap.
Area around Quintett ....late summer fall best time....btw ...main diet item for a certain species of fish throughout the river system.
Three year crawfish study from a retired FWC co-worker.... ten to twelve traps, check every other day. He would bring back 40-50 nice size "bugs" ,for identification purpose and abundance. Bait traps with Friskies can cat food .....pop the top, did not peel the top off, threw it in the trap.
Area around Quintett ....late summer fall best time....btw ...main diet item for a certain species of fish throughout the river system.
Chicken liver, fish, fish parts, canned cat food or sardines for bait. You can fill up a trap pretty quick in creeks and sloughs on the river.
Question:
What regulations apply to freshwater crayfish?
Answer:
There are no closed seasons, gear, bag or size limits for the harvest of most freshwater crayfish in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) does not require a license for lawful recreational or commercial harvest of crayfish. However, harvest of Panama City, Sims Sink and Black Creek crayfish is prohibited. The Panama City crayfish is currently listed as a species of special concern in Florida. The Panama City crayfish is found only in part of Bay County and nowhere else in the world. There also a recommendation to reclassify the species to "threatened". View the revised draft Panama City Crayfish Management Plan on the FWC Imperiled Species page.
Additionally, Florida Statutes prohibit collection of all cave organisms (including crayfish) except for scientific and educational purposes. Non-native species, red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish, may be imported and possessed only under permit from the executive director. Pond aquaculture of red swamp and white river crayfish is prohibited. Red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish may be possessed west of the Apalachicola River or imported for direct sale to food wholesalers and food distributors for re-sale to consumers without permit. In order to import red swamp or white river crayfish, you must first obtain Special Permit to Import "Non-native Species" (referred to as "conditional" and "prohibited" species). Import and possession of non-native Australian crayfish except for tank aquaculture of is prohibited.
If you plan on processing, packing, holding, or preparing crayfish as food for wholesale or retail sale to the public in Florida, you must have an annual food permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS). For information and requirements visit the DOACS information/requirements for a food permit page.
What regulations apply to freshwater crayfish?
Answer:
There are no closed seasons, gear, bag or size limits for the harvest of most freshwater crayfish in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) does not require a license for lawful recreational or commercial harvest of crayfish. However, harvest of Panama City, Sims Sink and Black Creek crayfish is prohibited. The Panama City crayfish is currently listed as a species of special concern in Florida. The Panama City crayfish is found only in part of Bay County and nowhere else in the world. There also a recommendation to reclassify the species to "threatened". View the revised draft Panama City Crayfish Management Plan on the FWC Imperiled Species page.
Additionally, Florida Statutes prohibit collection of all cave organisms (including crayfish) except for scientific and educational purposes. Non-native species, red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish, may be imported and possessed only under permit from the executive director. Pond aquaculture of red swamp and white river crayfish is prohibited. Red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish may be possessed west of the Apalachicola River or imported for direct sale to food wholesalers and food distributors for re-sale to consumers without permit. In order to import red swamp or white river crayfish, you must first obtain Special Permit to Import "Non-native Species" (referred to as "conditional" and "prohibited" species). Import and possession of non-native Australian crayfish except for tank aquaculture of is prohibited.
If you plan on processing, packing, holding, or preparing crayfish as food for wholesale or retail sale to the public in Florida, you must have an annual food permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS). For information and requirements visit the DOACS information/requirements for a food permit page.
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