Rusty Crayfish

Back from vacation and checking out a story idea from the north! The problem of the Rusty Crayfish in northern lakes caught my attention. Vilas County has some 90 lakes invaded with the Orconectes rusticus, according to the Wisconsin DNR.

They were first found in some of the lakes as far back as 1961. The latest findings were in 2006. The Rusty Crayfish "were likely introduced to Wisconsin waters primarily by anglers who used them as live bait. They are still sold as bait and by biological supply companies.It is illegal to possess both live crayfish and angling equipment simultaneously on any inland Wisconsin water," according to the Minnesota Sea Grant.

Rusty Crayfish are native to streams in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee. But for nearly 50 years, they've been in Wisconsin waters eating small fish, insects and fish eggs.

Reporter Art Hackett tells me he reported on this back in the 80's. I think it's time to make a return visit to find out what's being done to mitigate the Rusty Crayfish – which according to some anglers I talked with last week leave some lakes very short on good fishing opportunities.