Transporting crawfish question

[TDH]

Can someone tell me if it would be legal or not to transport cooked crawfish without a permit?

[gunflint]

Although to me crawfish in any form is bait I do know a few cajuns who insist on eating them. So for legal purposes I would think cooked crawfish are defined as food and not game or bait.

[Ed Carlson]

Some species of crawfish are on the invasive species list, so I suspect the answer is now..no.

Check with all the states DNR departments that you wish to transport them in first to be sure. That would be best to avoid any unintended invasive species transference and any fines that may result.

[herefish101]

Their cooked, thus dead, take em where ever you like. Just be able to prove their cooked. Plus you'd have to get pulled over first.

[pushbutton]

if you are going to potluck dinner party and you are suppose to bring crawdads as your contribution and by chance a CO pulls you over, happens to ask you what you have in that crock pot, and proceeds to write you out a ticket....i will pay the fine for you .

[TDH]

The plan is that next weekend my dad, a friend of ours, and I are taking a trip up to the Park Rapids area where we are renting a cabin for a couple days. I have never eaten crawdad before and want to give it a try. I am currently in the process of making two traps and I suspect I will catch a good batch of them. My problem is that I don't really want to cook them to eat up there because I would most likely would be the only one eating them. Besides who has time to mess around with them when there are walleyes to be caught right? I guess I am just going to have to risk it, wish me luck!

[Ed Carlson]

The DNR will list waters with crayfish or other invasive species you would need to worry about.

So if you plan to transport them alive, be responsible, and check the waters you wish to trap against the list of waters of concern. It is easily done, and your not at risk of contributing to a problem that plagues all anglers in all states.

Per the regs: The transportation of live native and invasive crayfish from one waterbody to another within the state is prohibited, except by permit issued by the DNR. Live crayfish or crayfish eggs may not be imported without a permit issued by the DNR. Live crayfish may not be sold for live bait or for use in aquariums. Live crayfish taken from a waterbody can only be used as bait in that same waterbody.

This link will get you started.

High Concern Issue: Rusty Crayfish Invasive Species MN DNR

[ranger20]

for transport just put them in a cooler and frezze some 1 litter bottle with water and put the in the cooler do not use water !!!!!! they will live for at least 4-6 days

[mn_bowhunter]

From the regs,

"Crayfish: From April 1-Nov. 30 licensed anglers and children under 16 may

take and possess up to 25 pounds of crayfish longer than 1 inch for personal use. A DNR permit* is required to import, transport, or sell crayfish. Crayfish may be used as bait only in the body of water where they were captured. The use of live crayfish as bait on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (north of the Boomsite Boat Launch) and within Voyageurs National Park, units of the National Park System, is prohibited."

It doesn't say whether they are dead or alive, so I'd assume you need a permit to be legal.