Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 2, February 2024
39.00 Crayfish
Regulations
39.01
Crayfish
Harvest Restricted
It is unlawful for a person to:
A. Harvest crayfish (crawdads, mudbugs,
crawfish) without a valid fishing license as required in Code 3.02;
B. Fish more than 10 crayfish traps
simultaneously;
C. Fail to check
crayfish trap(s) and remove any catch within 24 hours of setting
trap(s);
D. Fail to remove crayfish
trap(s) when no longer in use for fishing (not baited for more than 24
hours);
E. Sell Arkansas
wild-caught crayfish;
F. Retain any
species taken with crayfish tackle other than crayfish and baitfish. All other
species must be immediately returned to the waters where taken; or
G. Move crayfish unless in compliance with
Code 26.27.
PENALTY: Class 1
39.02
Illegle Recreational Crayfish
Tackle Prohibited
It is unlawful to use tackle for taking or attempting to take
crayfish from waters of the state except other than as specified below.
A. Seines not in excess of 50 feet long and 4
feet in depth with square mesh with a minimum opening of 1/2 inch.
B. Square traps or lifts not exceeding 6 feet
by 6 feet by 3 feet in depth.
C.
Round traps not exceeding 3 feet in diameter and 6 feet long with throat size
of 2.5 inches.
D. Plastic or wire
mesh minnow traps with throat size of not more than 2.5 inches.
E. Hand-operated dip nets or lifts with up to
1 inch square bar mesh used to take legal baitfish for personal use while in
the act of sport fishing day or night.
A person using tackle must clearly label the tackle in a
durable manner with the person's name and address, driver's license number,
AGFC customer identification number, or current vehicle license plate
number.
PENALTY: Class 1
39.03
Crayfish Harvest Locations
Restricted
It is unlawful to take or attempt to take crayfish from the
following rivers or their tributaries: Eleven Point, South Fork Spring, Spring,
and Strawberry Rivers.
PENALTY: Class 2
39.04
Rearing Propagation Stocking
Importation And Exportation Of Cryfish Restricted
A. It is unlawful for any individuals to
possess, propagate, or offer for sale farm-reared crayfish without a valid
permit for live fish trade as required in Code 35.01 and Code 32.02. All
crayfish obtained for seed stock and stocking must be obtained from a valid
live fish trade license or permit holder. All crayfish imported must meet the
requirements of Code 35.00, Addendum I1.00, and Addendum J1.00.
B. It is unlawful to export from the state
any Arkansas wild-caught crayfish.
EXCEPTION:
Crayfish for immediate human consumption imported in compliance
with Addendum I1.03.
PENALTY: Class 2
