Missouri is home to 35 species of crayfish, but they all naturally live in different parts of the state. In fact, we have more crayfish density than almost every other place in the world. In their natural environments, crayfish (we also call them crawdads) are an important part of the ecosystem. They eat debris that would otherwise clog waterways, they reproduce, and they then become the prey of some 200 other water and fowl species. Indirectly, then, they keep our waterways full of fish for those who love the sport. In fact, because crayfish are a favorite food for so many game fish, fishermen often use them as bait, and bait shops are only too happy to sell them. And herein lies the problem.
Suppose a fisherman stops at a bait shop and purchases crayfish for bait. He goes to his favorite spot, spends several hours fishing, and throws the remaining crayfish into the water. These crayfish are not the type naturally found in that waterway and they thus become “invasive.” As invaders, they the reproduce, upset the balance of the ecosystem of that particular waterway and even carry diseases to the naturally residing crayfish. They compete for food, plant life and debris which also support other small species, which are then eaten by game fish. The end result is that these small species die off and the game fish will be smaller in size. Of course, all of this takes time, but the introduction of invasive crayfish has been going on for years and is now beginning to impact rivers and streams.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has produced new regulations regarding the problems with crayfish, in an attempt to prevent the huge issues that cross-over invasions have caused in a large number of other states. These regulations specifically target bait shops and anglers, although others are impacted as well. In short the regulations provide for the following:
- Bait shops are now only allowed to legally sell one species – the northern crayfish .Selling any other variety will result in fines.
- Other species of crayfish may not be sold or purchased unless it is for human consumption, research or as food for confined animals.
- Anglers may harvest crayfish to use as bait, but must then only fish in the waterway from which they harvested the crayfish bait.
- In no circumstances may an angler return live crayfish to any waterway, even the one from which s/he harvested them. And crayfish harvesting is limited to 150 per day, requiring a fishing license to do so.
These new regulations are not likely to impact bait shop business much – survey have shown that crayfish sales are just a tiny portion of their total sales. If the problem of “invasion” continues, however, it is likely that the sale by bait shops will be prohibited altogether.
The MDC has a special appeal to anglers all over the state. Purchase or harvest crayfish for your own use; enjoy your sport. But please do not throw your leftovers back into the waterway. Help us keep Missouri’s rivers and streams thriving so you will have many more great fishing excursions!
So if I catch 5 crayfish to use as bait and only use 3 of them, I am not allowed to return the other two back to the stream where I caught them?
Does this apply also to my grandchildren who like to catch crayfish at the creek, but put them back after looking at them?
Tim, according to the rules, then yes you are not allowed to put them back. I’m assuming there’s some leeway for kids picking them up, looking at them and setting them back in the water.
This is just as it should be , After the dept of conservation has allowed the destruction of Crayfish in south east mo by farming chemicals ! An acceptable loss they say ! This is incredible ! For decades every ditch with water was full of crayfish , now you can break your back with a twenty foot net and not find a single one ! Double standard . I do believe so ! I am a avid outdoorsman , I have lived here for 53 years . Why is it ok for farm chemicals to destroy ecosystems , but illegal for children to play in our streams ?>????????