How to Make a Crawfish Trap or Net

Trap crawfish with a net.

You can construct your own trap net to catch crawfish. The amount of crawfish you can harvest depends on the size of your mesh and the diameter of the funnel. Modify the size of the mesh and funnel as necessary, depending on the size and amount of crawfish you would like to catch. With a roll of poultry net, a lot of zip ties and some tools, you can build your own crawfish trap and start hauling in your catch.

Things You'll Need

• One roll of poultry netting, three feet by 25 feet, 3/4-inch mesh
• Zip ties
• Industrial scissors
• One to1.5 pounds of fishing weights
• String
• Large binder clip

Instructions

1. Use the scissors to cut three feet of the poultry netting, then form the length into a roll with one line of mesh overlapping.

2. Take three zip ties and tie the overlapping mesh sections at the center and at each end. Take more zip ties and tie each section of the mesh in between the first three ties in order to completely fasten the roll together. Snip off the zip tie ends with the scissors.

3. Position the trap so that the line of zip ties are at the center. Close the middle of each open end with a single zip tie.

4. Add five zip ties to the center section of the bottom end and snip off the ties. This is the trap's funnel. Fold in the two corners and the bottom end of your trap is done.

5. 

   Use a binder clip to close the trap opening.

   Flip the trap around on the other end and place zip ties into each mesh section, starting five inches from one end. Snip off all the tie ends, then fold the open corner over and place a binder clip to secure it. This is the trap's opening for removing the crawfish.

6. Use the string and attach two sections of fishing weights that run down the side of the trap.

7. Tie the end of the string to the bottom of the trap. Use the string to pull the trap out of the water.

References

• J. McDonald Knives: Collapsible Crawfish Trap
• USGS: Crayfish Traps

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish