Crawfish biology helps explain why these freshwater crustaceans are among the most successful and important animals in aquatic ecosystems. Crawfish go by many names—crayfish, crawdad, mudbug—but they’re all the same kind of animal: freshwater crustaceans in the infraorder Astacidea, the same broad group that includes clawed lobsters. There are nearly 700 described species worldwide (Crandall…
The connection between crawfish and fishing is stronger than many anglers realize. Crawfish influence trout, bass, and catfish feeding behavior, lure selection, seasonal movement patterns, and overall feeding activity throughout the year. Molting cycles, color changes, habitat preferences, and seasonal availability are some of the most important yet misunderstood factors in freshwater angling. Most anglers…
Missouri crawfish go through five life stages with distinct color, size, and behavior — and seasonal color changes that directly inform soft plastic color selection through the year.
