Good place to catch crawdads around Clackamas?

Joe Link · Oct 5, 2009

We're very close to stocking our pond with Rainbow Trout and other creatures, such as crawdads. I was curious if you guys know any good places to trap some close to Clackamas with clean water. I know they live in Johnson Creek and the Tualatin River, but I don't want to bring back any e.coli or other bacteria/diseases. I'm beginning to think it might be in our best interest to make the drive to Timothy Lake.

Any other tips on catching/trapping/caring for them would be appreciated! Last time I trapped some I was 8 years old :s0155:

Cougfan2 · Oct 5, 2009

Crawdads can be found anywhere, but especially on rocky bottoms. That's why you catch Smallmouth bass around rocks. That's where the crawdads are, and other tasty critters such as minnows (tasty to the bass that is).

We used to have a crawdad trap years ago that we used when we fished the Ozarks. Actually used it for both crawdads and minnows. I consisted of a big mason jar with an inverted wire mesh (a little smaller than chicken wire) cone with a hole at the bottom of it big enough for a crawdad to crawl thru. We would use either chicken livers or a small drumstick for bait. Place it with the top of the mason jar pointed downstream. The crawdads will crawl in, but they very seldom will be able to crawl out.

Joe Link · Oct 5, 2009

Worked for minnows too huh? That's awesome! We plan on stocking a couple hundred of those as well for trout and crawdad food.

RockKrawler · Oct 5, 2009

Used to be able to catch them up at Timothy Lake,haven't tried in a while but used to do pretty well.
RK

Grizzly_A · Oct 5, 2009

Go to Barton Park and throw a trap or get a hotdog on a hook and string. Go down to the rocks near the boat ramp and have at them.

If you go with the hot dog method get a small net to catch them as they may let go once to the top of the water.

OFADAN · Oct 5, 2009

What is the very best bait for a trap?

jack1122 · Oct 5, 2009

www.lacrawfish.com

Jack

Cougfan2 · Oct 5, 2009

Joey Link said:
Worked for minnows too huh? That's awesome! We plan on stocking a couple hundred of those as well for trout and crawdad food.

We actually used crackers if what we were really after was minnows.

pdxjohann · Oct 5, 2009

Joey, you already have eColi. In your pond, on your sidewalk, in your grass, in yourselves. You have eColi.

Just Jim · Oct 8, 2009

I know a place that has crawdads so big only three will fit in a half gallon milk container. When I get retired I will send you pictures. lol

jj

Cougfan2 · Oct 9, 2009

Just Jim said:
I know a place that has crawdads so big only three will fit in a half gallon milk container. When I get retired I will send you pictures. lol

jj

Them's some dandy mud bugs! Some of the best food I ever had in my life was when my buddy's wife, a cajun gal, made us some crawfish etouffe. :s0155:

parsons_12b · Oct 9, 2009

try bacon I have real good luck with that.

Brandon44647 · Oct 9, 2009

Promintory Lake just outside of Estacada, took my boys fishing there last weekend. They come right up to the bank in the rocks, we were just grabbing them. No trap needed LOL !

ohsocountry1 · Oct 9, 2009

my girlfriend and i filled a 5 gallon bucket half way in an hour across from fishermans to the left of mcdonalds. using bacon on a string and 2 butterfly nets put it behind the crawdad so even if u scare them they movebackward into it. any other questions message me. i have been going alot

Joe Link · Oct 9, 2009

I got the bacon thawing now, we're going to head out tomorrow morning. We'll probably try Barton Park and if that doesn't work, maybe Promintory Lake or that park near McDonalds. Do we need any licenses or anything?

ohsocountry1 · Oct 9, 2009

i dont believe so if you go near mcdonalds i will c u there and show u are skill lol :s0155:

ohsocountry1 · Oct 9, 2009

joey you a fisherman also i live in happy valley also and work at bc angling post on 82nd drive just wondered if i have met u before

Joe Link · Oct 9, 2009

Heh not much of one. I fish, but rarely catch anything

Is that the shop next to Gun Zone?

gunluvver · Oct 10, 2009

I read that Qregon allows subsistence fishing without a license. Dress like a homeless tweaker and use a shopping cart to haul your stuff. If stopped, say you're catching dinner, and you should have no issues!