Alternative trap technologies to reduce the population of the invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in the Chicago Region

To reduce the population of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, in the Chicago Area, more efficient methods that maximize the number of crayfish that can be caught for each unit of human time invested must be utilized. This study experimented with three trap technologies to determine which is most efficient in this system. Ten of each trap type were purchased/built, randomly placed throughout our study area, then cleared to record species, size, and sex. Mesh traps yielded greater CPUE (catch per unit effort), Female CPUE, and Average Size (mm) values for crayfish, indicating mesh is most efficient