Evaluation of Trap Density and Type for Harvesting Crawfish Procambarus spp. from Small Ponds

Harvested crawfish were stocked into 0.15-ha earthen ponds in March and May at rates of 114, 227, and 455 kg/ha to evaluate the effects of trap density, 27 and 54 traps/ha, on their recapture over 14 d following 3 d of acclimation. Two-funnel, stand-up pillow traps and three-funnel pyramid traps were compared. About 39% and 55% of stocked crawfish were recovered in March and May, respectively. There was considerable growth of those crawfish. Overall catch with both trap densities was equivalent in March but the higher trap density caught 1.3 times more crawfish in May. Pyramid traps caught 1.5–1.9 times more crawfish than pillow traps.