Where to catch crayfish: secret places and features of fishing

The search for places where crayfish are found is a fascinating process that requires knowledge about the habits of these arthropods and the features of water bodies. Many beginners mistakenly believe that it is enough to go into the nearest river to find a rich catch, but reality dictates its rules. Purity of water It is a major indicator of the presence of cancers, as they are extremely sensitive to pollution and chemical composition of the environment. If you see floating debris or smell an unpleasant smell, it is useless to look for prey here.

Cancers prefer to settle in water bodies with rocky-bottomedWhere they can dig holes or find shelter under snags. The depth also plays an important role: too shallow areas freeze quickly in winter and warm up in summer, which makes life in them impossible. The optimal depth for catching cancers is from 0.5 to 3 meters.In some deep-sea lakes, they can be found at five meters.

It is important to understand that the migration of cancers depends on the time of day and season. At night, they crawl out to hunt, so the evening hours are considered the most productive for fishermen. Knowing exactly where to look for crayfish in a particular pond comes with experience, but basic principles will help you cut down on time to explore the area.

Natural reservoirs: rivers and lakes

Rivers are a traditional habitat for crustaceans, but the choice of a particular area of the coast is critical. Cancers do not like a strong current, so you should look for them in the future. squats, swamps and quiet moulds. Here the water is calmer, which allows the crayfish to move freely along the bottom in search of food, without expending excess energy to fight the flow.

In the lakes, the situation is a little different: here it is important to pay attention to the relief of the bottom. Cool coastal dumps, cliffs and areas with vegetation (reed, reed) attract crayfish more than gentle sandy beaches. In such places, they find not only protection from predators, but also an abundant feed base.

When searching for a place on a river or lake, you should pay attention to the presence of driftwood and stones. It is under them that the crayfish hide in the daytime. If the bottom is covered with a thick layer of silt, crayfish are rare there, as they find it difficult to breathe and build burrows in such an environment. In pure water with a rocky bottom, the chances of success increase many times over.

• 🦀 Look for areas with a reverse current or whirlpools where organics accumulate.
• 🦀 Pay attention to the precipitous clay banks - there are often visible entrances to burrows.
• 🦀 Avoid places with a lot of algae entangle the bottom, there is a crayfish difficult to move.

⚠️ During molting, crayfish become extremely vulnerable and hide in the deepest burrows. At this time, their fishing may be limited by local regulations, so be sure to check the conditions in the regional fishing charter before leaving.

Artificial water bodies and ponds

Artificial ponds such as quarries, park ponds or special cancer farms are becoming increasingly popular fishing spots. Unlike wild rivers, conditions here are often controlled by humans, which can make it easier to search. The bottom of these ponds Usually specially prepared, bringing clay and stones to create comfortable living conditions.

However, in artificial water bodies there are nuances. The density of planting of cancers can be high, but competition for food is great. In addition, in such places often carried out water-treatment from flowering, which can temporarily scare away crayfish or make them unfit for consumption. Always check the history of the water body with local residents or security guards.

Quarries filled with groundwater are often crystal clear, which is ideal for crayfish. But the depth in them can be significant, so special fishing may be required. shell-head with a long phalanx or diving equipment. Shallow areas near the edge of the quarry are usually inhabited by young animals, which are of no interest to the fisherman.

The table below compares the characteristics of different types of crayfish catching waters:

Type of pond	Type of bottom	Transparency of water	Difficulty catching
River	Rocky/Clay	Medium/High	Medium
Lake	Ilistoic/Sandy	Low/Mediocre	Tall.
Pond (artificial)	Clay	Tall.	Low.
career	Rocky	Very high.	High (because of depth)

The influence of the time of year and day on the choice of place

Seasonality plays a key role in determining where exactly in the pond are cancers. In the spring, when the water is just beginning to warm up, crayfish come out on the shallow, well-lit areas. Here they warm up and eat more actively, restoring strength after winter. At this time, they can be found even at a depth of 30-50 centimeters near the shore.

In summer, especially on hot days, the situation changes dramatically. Cancers hide in the depths, under overhanging banks, in the shadow of driftwoods and in deep burrows. It is almost impossible to catch them during the day, since they lead a secretive lifestyle. Activity begins at sunset when the water cools. Night fishing It allows you to catch crayfish at the exit of shelters to feed.

In autumn, before the cold, crayfish again become more active, eating intensively. They can be found at medium depths. In winter, life in the reservoir freezes, crayfish are clogged into deep holes and practically do not move. In winter fishing is possible only in ice-free polynyas or under the ice with the help of special devices, but its effectiveness is low.

• 🌙 Early morning (before dawn) is a time when the crayfish have not yet hidden after a night hunt.
• 🌙 Cloudy weather during the day increases the chances of finding cancer in shallow water.
• 🌙 Stormy weather causes crayfish to hide in deepest burrows, making fishing useless.

⚠️ During spawning (usually late spring - early summer) female crayfish is prohibited in many regions. This is necessary to preserve the population, and breaking the rules can result in severe fines.

Signs of the presence of cancers at the bottom

An experienced rakolov can read the bottom even without diving. One of the main signs is hole-hole. They look like holes in the vertical wall of a clay shore or between rocks. Often near the entrance you can see freshly discarded earth or small pebbles, which indicates a residential burrow.

Another indicator is the behavior of other inhabitants of the reservoir. If you see a lot of small fish that are holding on to the bottom and behaving restlessly, crayfish may be hunting nearby. Also the presence of empty shell (molts) On the shore or in shallow waters, the population in this place is alive and well.

When fishing at night with a flashlight, you can notice glowing dots on the bottom - these are the eyes of crayfish. The lantern beam reflects off their retina, giving away their location. This method requires silence and caution, as sudden movements frighten the prey, and it instantly hides in the shelter.

The myth of dirty water

There is a popular belief that crayfish are found only in dirty water. In fact, they avoid contaminated water bodies, as their gills get clogged with toxins and they die. The sight of crayfish in dirty water is a sign that they are trying to escape from there or have already died.

Equipment required for search and fishing

To successfully catch crayfish in the found places, one desire is not enough - you need the right tools. The classic method is hand fishing, but it requires skill and often a special suit for diving. More effective shell-head - folding structures of a grid on a metal frame.

For installation of the shells at a depth or in places with strong currents, a long rope (fal) and a load are used. As a bait, they are most often used rotten meat, fish or bread with garlic. The smell attracts crayfish from a long distance, luring them inside a trap from which it is impossible to get out.

Also popular fishing for a “ring” or just a stick with a tied bait. Cancer grabs prey with claws and does not let it go until it is pulled to the surface. This method requires the constant presence of the fisherman and a rapid rise in net production.

Safety and environmental regulations

Crawfishing is not only a pleasure, but also a responsibility. Being near the water, especially at night, is easy to get injured or lost. Security It should be a priority: use headlights, comfortable non-slip shoes and let your loved ones know your location.

The environmental aspect is also important. Do not leave behind garbage, bags from bait and pruning fish. This pollutes the water and can kill the crayfish themselves and other animals. Follow the catch rates set for your region so as not to undermine the population.

Remember that crayfish are an important link in the food chain of the reservoir, performing the function of orderlies. Overfishing can upset the balance of the ecosystem. Release small juveniles and females with caviar to ensure future yields.

Can I catch crayfish in winter?

Technically, you can catch if the water is not covered with ice or you use special winter devices. However, the activity of crayfish in winter is minimal, they do not move much and hide in deep holes. The efficiency of fishing in the cold season is extremely low, so it is better to wait for spring.

What time of day is best to catch crayfish?

The best time to catch is dusk and night. Cancers are predominantly nocturnal. Start checking the shells or hunting with a lantern is best after 22:00 and before dawn. During the day, you can catch them only in very cloudy weather or at great depth.

Which bait attracts crayfish the most?

Cancers are attracted to a strong smell. Traditionally, the best bait is considered slightly rotten fish (perch, roach) or meat. They also willingly go to bread grated with garlic, or cake. Fresh bait works worse, as the smell from it does not spread as actively.

Where exactly can't you catch crayfish?

It is forbidden to catch crayfish in protected areas, in fish factories, in fish spawning areas (during spawning ban) and in water bodies, where a complete ban on catching aquatic biological resources has been introduced. Always check the local fishing regulations before traveling.