Invasive vs. native: Crawfish

Friday we discussed one of my favorite invasive species, the Eurasian collared dove. Today we will discuss another of my favorites, which is worth pursuing, the crawfish. They are also known as crayfish crawdads, freshwater lobsters and mudbugs.

The first indication of Columbia Basin crawfish in my life was when, at age 10, my family of four was on a trip to Deep Lake in Sun Lakes State Park. There was another family, each with a piece of string in hand.

Tied on one end of the string was a piece of bacon. Each family member would lower the bacon into the water of the creek flowing out of the lake. Then the action started.

Each string would be raised slowly until the bacon was at the edge of the water’s surface. Then the bacon, with something attached, would be moved quickly to the bank of the stream. Investigation was required.

The family was catching crawfish. These tiny shellfish are native to Washington State. The family told me crawfish were delicious. They were added to boiling water, along with whatever spices the cook desired.

They were then placed on a table covered with newspaper and eaten. The general procedure was to break off the tail and squeeze the meat out with the thumb and forefinger.

Other lakes containing this shellfish include Douglas Creek in Moses Coulee, Buffalo Lake on the Colville Indian Reservation and our own Crab Creek.

In fact, my research has shown the German word for crabs is krabben. Apparently, the Germans settlers in this area named Crab Creek after the crabs (crawfish) in the creek.

Crawfish didn’t enter my life again for another 40 years. This column had me exploring all facets of the outdoors and crawfish was eventually on my list. Readers guided me to some crawfish spots and passed along their way of catching them.

Most people use a crawfish pot, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

Native crawfish

The season begins on the first Monday in May and continues until Oct. 31. The minimum size is 3 and a quarter inches from the tip of the nose to tip of tail.

The daily limit is 10-pounds in shell. All females with eggs or young attached must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. No Shellfish license is required.

Non-native species

Season is the same, but the non-natives must be kept in a separate container. They must be dead before being removed from riparian area (immediate vicinity of water body). No daily limit, size, or sex restrictions. No Shellfish license is required.

Tomorrow: A few more thoughts about crawfish, then on to another invasive species.