Crawfish question

[denowt]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread, so I started another.

Are crawfish caught in "dry creek" safe/good to eat?

There is a creek that runs through our lease that is basically a glorified drainage ditch. It flashfloods whenever there is a decent rain, then stops running a few days after a rain.
There are several "holes" that will hold water for weeks/months.
I've been catching a few here and there in my minnow/perch traps and if I get enough, I would like to boil them.

Would they be OK to eat or should I just use them for catfish bait?
So far I've only caught 5 large ones and 2 small ones, so not enough to eat yet.

[Maddox]

Why wouldn't they be? You seen the crawfish ponds next to I10?

[tvc184]

My grandmother was raised in Franklin, LA (about 80 miles west of New Orleans). She said that when she was a child and it rained, she and the other children would catch the crawfish out of the ditch and boil them in the ditch water in an old coffee can.

She lived to be in her 80's so I guess it didn't hurt her too much.

[denowt]

I was thinking they would be Ok, just wanted a little reassurance.
The water in the creek gets a little stagnant between rains.
I've been keeping them alive in some tubs I've rigged up with a spray nozzle and bilge pump, so they should be "flushed out" of the creek water.

[Outdoor Legacy]

My grandmother was raised in Franklin, LA (about 80 miles west of New Orleans). She said that when she was a child and it rained, she and the other children would catch the crawfish out of the ditch and boil them in the ditch water in an old coffee can.

She lived to be in her 80's so I guess it didn't hurt her too much.

Not to hijack but my wife's dad was born and raised in Franklin. Her brother lived there until a few years ago when he moved over close to Jennings.

As a kid I caught crawfish out of creeks, ditches and lakes and we'd fry them up when we cooked fish. Never had a problem.

[McClain]

Probably safe, but crawfish from high organic habitats can take on an off-flavor similar to finfish under some conditions. This is caused by a compound called geosmin, and imparts a musty or earthly flavor.

[denowt]

Probably safe, but crawfish from high organic habitats can take on an off-flavor similar to finfish under some conditions. This is caused by a compound called geosmin, and imparts a musty or earthly flavor.

Would keeping them in aerated, circulated water for a few weeks help to eliminate that?

[Bayouboy]

I never thought I would see the day where people got so technical about crawfish.
We ate many a pound out of canals and ditches that no telling what ran into them. No doubt lots of bad agriculture runoff did.
If you are just catching a few at a time keep the tails and save them in a freezer bag until you get enough to fry or make an etoufe'.

[McClain]

Would keeping them in aerated, circulated water for a few weeks help to eliminate that?

Yes possibly, but expect some mortalities. Crawfish do not do well when held in confinement for long periods of time.

[Todd-ty729]

Probably safe, but crawfish from high organic habitats can take on an off-flavor similar to finfish under some conditions. This is caused by a compound called geosmin, and imparts a musty or earthly flavor.

You must've stayed in a Holiday inn express recently

[dbaio1]

I never thought I would see the day where people got so technical about crawfish.
We ate many a pound out of canals and ditches that no telling what ran into them. No doubt lots of bad agriculture runoff did.
If you are just catching a few at a time keep the tails and save them in a freezer bag until you get enough to fry or make an etoufe'.

No joke....... just put more seasoning in dat water is what we use to do

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

I am wondering how long it will take for you to catch 15-18 pounds. That's what I eat at one time.

You have 7 crawfish.

[Sackett]

You must've stayed in a Holiday inn express recently

He is The Crawfish Guru.

[HoneyBee]

My grandmother was raised in Franklin, LA (about 80 miles west of New Orleans). She said that when she was a child and it rained, she and the other children would catch the crawfish out of the ditch and boil them in the ditch water in an old coffee can.

She lived to be in her 80's so I guess it didn't hurt her too much.

The very first crawfish I ever ate came out of a ditch in Monroe, Louisiana. I was visiting my friend and we caught some crawfish and her mom cooked them for us.
Thats been 20 yrs ago and I'm still alive and only have a few issues

[Todd-ty729]

He is The Crawfish Guru.

I'll need to taste the proof!