How to Build a Crayfish Box Trap

Seafood lovers won't want to miss out on a chance for summertime crayfish hunting. Fresh water crayfish taste delicious. Prepare a crayfish trap and set it in the water. Leave it overnight and start collecting the crayfish in the morning. Use simple willow twigs or chicken wire to make the trap. Mesh wire crayfish traps are used widely during the fishing season. Crayfish will escape easily from more fragile mesh traps, so make the trap rigid and sturdy. Strong crayfish traps of various models are sold online.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken wire
  • Wire cutter
  • Clothespins
  • Small fish head
  • Small white PVC cylinder
  • Long wire
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Instructions

  1. Preparing the Trap

    • 1

      Using wire cutters, cut the chicken wire 50 inches long and 25 inches wide. Bend it in on itself at the corners to make a funnel.

    • 2

      The entrance of the funnel should be large enough for the crayfish to enter. A 1-inch circular space is sufficient.

    • 3

      Secure the edge of the chicken wire using clothespins. This will assure that the funnel does not open and unfold.

    • 4

      Place the fish head near the closed funnel end. This is the bait for the crayfish. A small piece of fish is also suitable.

    Preparing the Handle

    • 5

      Bend the long wire. Thread the wire through the PVC cylinder so that the cylinder is at the center of the length.

    • 6

      Attach the ends of the wire to the funnel. Bend and tie the wire into the chicken wire funnel to secure the handle. By gripping the cylinder, you will be able to lift the crayfish trap easily.

    • 7

      Place the crayfish trap in the river half-immersed. Leave the handle portion visible. The white PVC handle will be easy to spot.