Planning Your Crayfish Project

Invasive Crayfish

Organize your trip

Determine Group Organization. Is this part of another trip or is the purpose of the trip to collect crayfish data?  Obtain equipment and supplies. Do you need to borrow equipment? There are Crayfish Coordinators throughout the Columbia River Watershed from whom you can borrow equipment.  See the Watershed Facilitators and STEM Coordinators’ page to find someone close to you.

Choose Crayfish Collection Method

There are several ways to catch crayfish:

Crayfish Trap

Traps

Crayfish traps are a lot like crab traps in that a bait is placed in a trap, and a crayfish can enter an opening, but not escape the opening due to its construction. Crayfish traps are typically used in standing water like lakes and ponds.

Turning Over Rocks

Kick Net

The simplest method for seeking crayfish is to wade into a stream or pond and turn over the substrate to see if you can find crayfish.

Kick Nets

Kick nets are a simple and easy method for capturing crayfish in streams or ponds. The net must be strong enough to be used in moving water or in and around aquatic vegetation.

Choose Data Recording Method

It is a best practice to collect your data by 2 methods (digital and paper). This helps ensure that, should something happen to one format, you still have the other.

Online/Mobile Devices

We use Survey123, a tool in the ArcGIS suite of mapping software and applications, for participant submission of data.  The purpose of this technology is to collect real-time data without the need for additional GPS equipment. Best of all, a data connection is not required in the field; the app stores the collected data in the device until a WIFI connection can be reestablished.

To add your data through Survey123 you and members of your group will need a smart device that has been prepared ahead (see Prepare Devices).  This is what the form looks like:

Paper Forms

If you do not have a smart device,  you may use the desktop version of Survey123 or the app on a mobile device.