To preserve the species, it’s important to know how to correctly measure a crayfish.
It’s crayfish season for recreational fishers, and the good news is that wild populations across northeast Victoria are in good shape.
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So, it’s time to get into the great outdoors and catch a Murray spiny freshwater crayfish.
The season opened on June 1 and runs through winter until the end of August.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive, Travis Dowling said the prized Murray spiny freshwater crayfish were great fun for fishers of all ages and experience levels.
“One great thing about catching crays is you don’t need heaps of gear – a piece of steak on a length of string or a labelled hoop net will do the job,” Mr Dowling said.
“Many families have great memories of winter weekends catching crays, which are perfect to enjoy around the campfire with loved ones or can be released to stay at liberty.”
The legal size of 10-12 centimetres helps keep large, breeding females in the system to produce offspring for years to come.
It’s important to know how to measure crays correctly, from just behind the eye socket to the rear of the carapace, which is the main body shell.
Crays have a size limit of 10cm to 12cm, which should be measured from just under the eye to the last leg, as above.
Researchers from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Arthur Rylah Institute and Nature Glenelg Trust surveyed 17 locations across northern and northeast Victoria and found only minor changes from a similar study in 2016.
VFA recreational fisheries manager, Taylor Hunt said the assessment compared the abundance, size and sex ratio of freshwater crays caught in the two surveys and showed their numbers remained steady.
“There were increases in the Goulburn River around Shepparton and the Wodonga Creek, slight reductions in the Goulburn at Murchison, Mitchellstown and Seymour and very little to no change in the Ovens, Kiewa and Mitta Mitta rivers,” Dr Hunt said.
“This is good news and suggests our existing fishing rules are balancing fishing opportunities for recreational anglers with the right level of protection for a really important native species.
“We’re also working with ARI to produce Murray spiny freshwater craylings at our Snobs Creek conservation hatchery, which will further bolster numbers in these spots and more.”
Key rules for Murray spiny freshwater crayfish include the 10-12cm ‘slot limit’, a daily bag limit of two crays and statewide possession limit of four per person at any one time.
For more information, grab a free Recreational Fishing Guide from a tackle store, download the free VicFishing app or head to www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide.
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