Clearwater Lake AssociationDeerwood MN

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  • Home
    • What's New on the Web Page
  • Lake Association
    • Overview >
      • Clearwater Lake Association
      • Mission Statement
      • The Legal Paperwork
    • Meetings >
      • Current Year
      • Prior Years
    • Membership Dues
    • Meet the Board
    • Recent and Upcoming Events
    • Crayfish Campaign
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Lake Health
    • Lake Health Overview
    • Lake Mgmt Plan >
      • Overview >
        • Calendar
        • Annual Recap
      • Lake Water Levels >
        • Goal and Plan
        • Ordinary High Water Level
        • Why do we get High
        • Ice Heaves
        • High Water Damage
      • Water Quality >
        • Goal and Plan
        • TSI
        • Secchi / Transparency
        • What is TSI
        • Prior Year Reports
        • Mercury
      • Aquatic Vegetation >
        • Goal and Plan
        • Survey Results and Comparison
        • Why and How to Survey
      • Invasive Species LMP >
        • Treatment >
          • GOAL AND PLAN
          • Treatment History
          • Invasive Maps
          • Treatment Notifice
          • DNR Milfoil Treatment Approval Process
        • Invasive Species >
          • Eurasian MilFoil
          • Rusty Crayfish
          • Curly-Leaf Pondweed
          • Buckthorn
          • Reed Canary Grass
    • Reports and Maps >
      • Lake Reports
      • Lake Maps
      • Aquatic Management Area
    • Historical Data >
      • Clearwater Loons >
        • Nesting Project
        • Loon History
        • Why Clearwater Loons Are Important
        • Loon Cam 2017
      • Lake Shore Mini-Grant >
        • Lake shore Mini Grant
        • Seminar Flier
        • News Release
        • Grant Gallery
        • Willow Wattle - DIY >
          • Willow Wattle Supplies
          • Willow Wattle Prep
          • Willow Wattle Install
    • What Can I Do
    • DNR and Other Resources
  • Community
    • Photo Gallery
    • Lake History - From our Members
    • Clearwater Forsest Camp >
      • Dining Hall Images
  • Contact Us

Rusty Crayfish

Lake Management Plan -




Invasive Species

Treatment
  • Goal and Treatment Plan
  • Treatment History
  • Invasive Maps
  • Treatment Notices
  • Permit Process
Invasive Species
  • Invasive Species Overview
  • Eurasian Milfoil
  • Rusty Crayfish
  • Curly-Leaf Pondweed
  • Buckthorn
  • Reed Canary Grass
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Image from 2021 University of MN AIS Detectors Guide

What are Rusty Crayfish

Rusty crayfish are crustaceans that grow up to 5 inches long. They are native to the Ohio River basin.  Rusty crayfish have spread to several states and Ontario. They were discovered in Minnesota around 1960 and are confirmed in about 50 Minnesota waters, mostly in central and northern counties.  They are often used as bait and it is suspected that they spread through dumping of bait buckets.
 
Rusty crayfish are aggressive invaders that often displace native crayfish.  They are an opportunistic feeder, which means they eat almost anything, including plants and small fish.  They can harm native fish communities by feeding on their eggs and young, drive out or hybridize with native crayfish, and eliminate aquatic vegetation.
 
They also have a higher metabolism and grow larger then native crayfish.  This combination results in a larger appetite then the native crayfish.  

How to Identify it

Rusty crayfish have dark rusty-colored spots on each side of their back, about where you would grab them to pick them up.   Their claws are  smooth and vary in color from grayish-green to reddish brown.    The tips of their claws also have black bands.  Rusty Crayfish are significantly larger then the native form of crayfish in Clearwater lake.

What Can I do

The best way to control rusty crayfish is to slow the spread of them to other lakes.
  • It is illegal in MN to use crayfish as bait.
  • Never transport them from one body of water to another.
  • Learn how to identify the rusty crayfish
  • Have a Crayfish boil!   They are good to eat and you are helping the lake too!  You can catch them by hand, with a net or in a trap!  

Crayfish Study

University of MN is doing research on Rusty Crayfish.   Here is an overview of the project.
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.
https://maisrc.umn.edu/research/46 <https://maisrc.umn.edu/research/46>
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Consider a donation to the Invasive species fund, to treat our lake.

Turn In Poachers

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Clearwater Forest Camp

Since 1954, Clearwater Forest has served as a retreat center and summer camp.  They are owned and managed by Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Inc.  Clearwater Forest is an important resident on our lake.  With 4+ miles of lake shore and over 1000 acres around  Clearwater, everyone benefits from their mission statement "... be a faithful steward of God’s creation."

To lean more, go to clearwaterforest.org.
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