Crayfish are not federally regulated in either Canada or the United States. However, crayfish are regulated in each of the Great Lakes states and provinces, and these regulations vary widely.
To help make progress towards regulatory uniformity, the National Sea Grant Law Center summarized the crayfish regulations for all eight Great Lakes states. Their report can be found here.
Additional resources regarding regulations pertaining to crayfishes and other aquatic invasive species can be found on Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s Aquatic Invaders in the Marketplace website.
Illinois
It is a violation of state law to import, possess, sell or use as bait live rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus). However, dead rusty crayfish (and any other species not threatened or endangered) may be used as bait. Any crayfishes collected live may not be transported to different bodies of water.
Indiana
Crayfishes may be collected from public water with a valid sport fishing license. Crayfishes collected form public water cannot be sold. No more than 100 crayfishes may be transported across state boundaries within any 24-hour period, unless being sold commercially.
https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/22INFW.pdf
Importation or sale of crayfishes requires an Indiana Bait Dealer’s License
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-Bait_Dealer_Regs.pdf
Michigan
Crayfish species not native to Michigan waters, which include (but are not limited to) red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus), may not be used for bait, whether alive or dead, on any waters of the state, public or private. Native crayfish species may be harvested and used for bait in waters where fishing is permitted, with the exception of the Michigan-Wisconsin Boundary Waters. It is unlawful to commercially take, possess, or sell rusty crayfish in Michigan.
Minnesota
It is unlawful (a misdemeanor) to possess, import, purchase, transport, or introduce red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), except under a permit for disposal, control, research, or education. Rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) are regulated such that the introduction or release of these animals into waters of the state is prohibited without a permit. Further, the transportation of live native and invasive crayfishes from one waterbody to another within the state is prohibited, except by permit. Live crayfishes or crayfish eggs may not be imported without a permit. Live crayfishes may not be sold for live bait or for use in aquariums. Live crayfishes taken from a waterbody can only be used as bait in that same waterbody.
New York
Rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) may not be purchased and/or transported to a water body for use as bait or to be released. Additionally, rusty crayfish may not be transported away from or within a water body.
Ohio
It is legal to collect and use crayfishes as bait for fishing, although no one person can have in their possession more than 100 crayfishes at any given time. Any person wishing to have in their possession more than 100 crayfishes must obtain a valid Bait Dealer/Collector permit from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. No information specific to invasive crayfishes.
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/laws-regs-licenses/OhioFishingRegs_English.pdf
Ontario
Crayfishes may be collected for use as fishing bait, but they cannot be purchased. Any one person with a fishing license can have no more than 36 crayfishes in their possession. Crayfishes must be used in the same water body where caught, and they may not be transported overland. It is also illegal to transport any crayfishes into Ontario for use as bait.
https://files.ontario.ca/ndmnrf-2022-fishing-regulations-summary-en-2021-12-13.pdf
Pennsylvania
It is unlawful to possess, introduce, import, transport, sell, or purchase rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) in Pennsylvania. Other species may be used as bait, but the head must be immediately removed unless being used as bait in the water from which the crayfishes were taken. Except when used as bait as described above, the introduction of live crayfishes (any species) into the waters of Pennsylvania is prohibited. No crayfish species are permitted to be cultured under open-system propagation, although propagation is still allowed in closed systems.
Quebec
The possession and use of live baitfish (including crayfishes) is prohibited in Quebec.
Wisconsin
No person may use or possess live crayfishes and angling equipment simultaneously on any inland water except the Mississippi River. Any non-indigenous crayfish species must be killed immediately. It is illegal to possess, introduce, transport, or transfer a live non-indigenous crayfishes without a permit issued by the DNR, except rusty crayfish when being used as bait on the Mississippi River only. Selling crayfishes in Wisconsin requires a bait dealer’s license.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/
https://widnr.widen.net/s/xvldvfnblh/fishregselectronic2122
Note—state and federal regulations and statutes presented in this website are provided as informational summaries only and should not be viewed as the entire regulation or statute, modifications of regulations or statutes, binding interpretations, or legal advice. For confirmation and further explanation of specific regulations, contact the appropriate state or federal agency directly or consult with an attorney.
Risk Assessments
Tricarico et al., (2010) adopted and further developed a screening tool used to assess the potential invasiveness of freshwater invertebrates. They assessed the potential invasiveness of 37 native and introduced crayfish species in Europe. Among the species with the highest potential invasiveness were three North American species: the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), and the spinycheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus). Faxonius limosus and P. leniusculus are not yet know from the Great Lakes Region, but P. clarkii is established in several Great Lakes states as a result of anthropogenic introductions.
Olden et al., (2011) predicted the vulnerability of lakes and streams in Wisconsin to the introduction and establishment of invasive rusty crayfish (F. rusticus). The authors identified 115 lakes and ~5000 km of streams in Wisconsin having at least a 25% chance for the introduction and establishment of rusty crayfish and the eventual extirpation of a native congeneric crayfish. These results can aid in the identification of priority sites for prevention efforts given a maximum level of acceptable risk or budgetary or time restrictions.
Patoka et al., (2014) conducted an assessment of the invasion risk posed by the crayfish pet trade in Europe. They determined that the potential invasiveness of crayfishes native to North America was significantly higher than that of crayfishes from the rest of the world. Among the crayfish species with the highest potential invasiveness was the red swamp crayfish, a prevalent invader in the Great Lakes and surrounding areas.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame and Loyola University Chicago collaborated on development of a risk assessment tool and risk analysis of the over 200 world-wide crayfish species for which sufficient biological data exists. The science-based tool for assessing invasion risk (STAIR) for crayfish focuses on the ability of a species to move through the two stages of invasion—from introduced to established and from established to invasive. probabilities when available. The risk analysis results are probabilities for each of the two stages—the higher the probability, the greater the likelihood that the species will be able to become established or invasive. The Notre Dame STAIRcrayfish and the risk assessments are available here.
Bait
- Use soft-plastic lures that resemble a crayfish (where allowed by local and state ordinances) instead of real crayfish.
- Purchase crayfish from local, licensed bait retailers. They are more likely to be aware of state and federal regulations.
- Inspect bait during dip net transfer.
- Dispose of unwanted crayfish and crayfish parts in the trash. Do not dump them in the water or on land.
- Drain your bait container and add spring or dechlorinated tap water before leaving water access if keeping your crayfish. Do not add other live animals to your bait container.
Never move live crayfish from one water body to another.
Aquariums
- Confirm that a species is allowed under state and federal regulations.
- Buy crayfishes from reputable, authorized dealers.
- Ask the dealer for the scientific name of each organism to make sure you receive the appropriate species. The crayfish aquarium trade contains many invasive crayfish species, particularly known invasive species such as the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In many cases, these invaders have been bred to exhibit unusual traits, and therefore do not resemble natural populations of the same species. For example, red swamp crayfish that are bright blue in color are common in the crayfish aquarium trade.
- Consider displaying only native crayfish—not all invasive species are regulated.
- Cover your aquarium with an appropriate-sized lid that is made specifically for your tank or construct a homemade cover from readily-available materials such as a sheet of plastic or poultry netting. Make sure there are no holes large enough for a crayfish to fit through. This reduces the risk of crayfishes escaping your tank and making their way to an outdoor waterbody.
- Find new homes for unwanted plants and animals, such as a retailer or another hobbyist.
Aquatic farming
- Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations governing the import, export, propagation, and sale of crayfishes and other aquatic organisms.
- Be familiar with invasive crayfish species known from your area, so you can identify them if they accidentally arrive in your stock.
- Construct enclosures that will minimize the chance for crayfishes to escape. Crayfishes are known to climb out of holding tanks and aquariums using aeration lines and filters. The best way to keep crayfishes from escaping small, indoor holding tanks or aquariums is to construct appropriately-sized lids made out of sheets of plastic or poultry netting.
- Separate outdoor ponds or raceways from natural water bodies using elevated berms or levees to prevent crayfishes from escaping during flood events.
Classroom pets
- Research and select species that comply with federal, state/provincial, tribal and local laws and regulations, which restrict certain species.
- Choose a species that is native to your region, is not invasive or is a recommended alternative whenever possible. For example, the northern (or virile) crayfish (Faxonius virilis) and the northern clearwater crayfish (Faxonius propinquous) are two crayfishes common throughout much of the Great Lakes Region. Check with your state or provincial natural resources agency to confirm species native to your area.
- Confirm the scientific name of plants or animals that come in a science learning kit with the vendor to ensure you have the correct species information and details about their care.
- Cover your aquarium with an appropriate-sized lid that is made specifically for your tank or construct a homemade cover from readily-available materials such as a sheet of plastic or poultry netting. Make sure there are no holes large enough for a crayfish to fit through. This reduces the risk of crayfishes escaping your tank and making their way to an outdoor waterbody.
- Give unwanted plants and animals to another school or classroom, environmental learning center, aquarium, zoo and where possible return them to the pet store or supplier. If your plant or animal finds a new home with another classroom or is taken home by a student, be sure to emphasize a “don’t release into the environment” message.
- Sign an Adoption Pledge Form with the new owner when organisms are removed from the classroom or when a student is allowed to take an organism home to ensure that they are not released into the environment.
- Contact a veterinarian or pet retailer for guidance on humane disposal of animals. Disposal of live organisms should be considered as the last resort.