This project will determine which trapping methods are most effective for protecting wild rice from rusty crayfish grazing and will evaluate long-term sustainability of localized removals through recapture of marked crayfish.
This research project will examine three lakes in 2023 and three different lakes in 2024. Goal 1 (trap and bait testing) will occur over three nights in May/June and again in July/August in each lake. For Goal 2, we will mark crayfish during our May/June sampling and recapture marked individuals during our July/August visit.
Our findings will provide stakeholders (lake associations, community groups, soil and water conservation districts, and Native American bands) guidance on effective rusty crayfish control using trap and bait choices legal in Minnesota. Our findings on rusty crayfish movement rates will inform stakeholders how long trapping efforts near sensitive vegetation may be protective.