Crayfish in Massachusetts

[hi4noon]

Hi everyone,. I've been away for fishing for about 10 years now, ever since I graduated college. Can anyone recommend good places to catch crayfish?? My brother in law's birthday is in 2 weeks and I'd love take him fishing if I can catch enough crayfish before then. I live up in Methuen, MA so anything up here or even down around Lexington where he lives would be perfect. Thanks in advance.

[lowaccord66]

Tackle shops near quabbin sell them otherwise most rocky streams will have some.

[ICEHOLE]

rocky slow moving streams will be easiest to find and catch...some seem to be loaded more then others..i know a great spot but long ways from u

[CatchAndReleaseColin]

Call around to the tackle shops first - they come thru as bait sometimes
Otherwise they should be easy enough to find and catch.  They are everywhere around Wachusett res

[hi4noon]

Thanks for your responses guys. Yea I know they're in most bodies of water but I was hoping to save a day of driving around in search of a hot spot if someone living in North Eastern MA saw this post. I called a couple bait should but no luck.... Hopefully someone local to me sees this. thanks again!

[The Jigger]

Plugs pond Haverhill after dark

[Knot there yet]

Merrimack river .
rubber boots walk the bank scoop out ever beer can you find should be trapped inside can. A long dip net will help you reach farther.
Trull Brook golf coarse ponds. Minnow traps
 Power bait 4" chigger crawls (motor oil) weighted hook. My number one plastic bait.for my $$

[Fishermantim]

I used to catch them in Jamaica Pond whenever I wanted to try something other than worms.
See a rock in the water, lift the rock, check for crawfish, catch crawfish!

Get a minnow trap. You can buy one or make your own (look online for "how-to")
Set trap in an area you want to check, leave it overnight and check it the next day.
(Crawfish are more active at night.)

I've seen some that were 5-7" long, but that was years ago.
Heck, I've even gotten a couple of blue crawfish when I was younger.

The one rule I adhere to (just like lobstermen do) is I don't take eggers!
If the crawfish has eggs, it goes back right where I got it.

You can also get them in many sizes, unless you want all one size, then it may be worth buying them then.

In any case, good luck!

[hi4noon]

Went to plug pond last night.  Up to my knees in water turning rocks but found nothing I know they're there because i saw a carcass and a couple abandoned traps, but they must be pretty deep....

[deerhunter]

farm ponds and golf course. outlet brooks of small ponds at nite

[The Jigger]

Went to plug pond last night.  Up to my knees in water turning rocks but found nothing I know they're there because i saw a carcass and a couple abandoned traps, but they must be pretty deep....

Do you have a trap?
If you do catch a couple of pumpkinseeds and cut them up and put them in the trap overnight in the cove area where the brook runs out.

[fishlessman]

never went looking for them but might try the spicket below the dam area if i did, behind where dicks tv used to be as it goes thru that small park

[Steve H.]

Went to plug pond last night.  Up to my knees in water turning rocks but found nothing I know they're there because i saw a carcass and a couple abandoned traps, but they must be pretty deep....

Plugs is where I used to get them many years ago as a kid.  Right in the weeds by the launch.  Used to just drag a hand net through the weeds and scoop 'em up.  Would have likely been in the spring though.

They're in there.