Can Crayfish Be Taken in Otherwise Closed Zones

May 10, 2012

Question: If an area is posted “closed to fishing,” like the stretch of the Feather River between the green bridge in Oroville and the fish hatchery, is it still ok to use crayfish traps there? Or are crayfish traps considered “fishing”? (Al C., Oroville)

Answer: No, you cannot use crayfish traps there. According to DFG Lt. Sam Castillo, in this particular area the law says, “Closed to all fishing all year” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 7.50(b)(68)(A)). The law is inclusive of all species and is not specific to just trout and salmon. Some other no-fishing areas will allow for the take of amphibians, fresh water clams, crayfish and lampreys under CCR Title 14, section 7.50(a)(2), but this isn’t one of them.

That is not what I read in print dfg regs last year .It sais you can take by hand, maybe that is the difference by hand no traps,I will see if I can find and post