Commercial sales of crawfish in Louisiana date back to the late 1800s, and today's crawfish industry includes millions of pounds harvested from farms and natural habitats in the state. This publication covers a wide range of topics on crawfish production, including crawfish biology, pond design, forage management, stocking, water quality, harvesting, marketing and much more.

January 2008 Crawfish News. This newsletter covers information on baits and baiting recommendations, commercial species of crawfish in Louisiana, algal scum problems in crawfish ponds and locations for February 2008 crawfish producer meetings.

Information on recirculating production systems, fingerling sources, stocking and harvest management, regulatory considerations, economics and markets are included in this publication. (PDF Format Only)

This publication was designed to serve as a guide to aquaculture-related red drum (redfish) literature. The intended audience includes red drum producers as well as potential producers, investors and lenders. (PDF Format Only)

This slide presentation presented to the Louisiana Seafood Industry Advisory Council reviews biological and environmental factors that influence and control production of larger, more valuable, crawfish by farmers.

This list is comprised of contact information for catfish experts within the LSU Agricultural Center and the LSU - Baton Rouge campus.

Utilization of above-ground pools is practical for production of large numbers of cocahoe minnow eggs. This is achievable outdoors throughout summer, with peaks in late spring and early fall.

When holding live baitfish, a number of factors must be managed properly to ensure good survival and health. Water quality, including parameters such as dissolved oxygen and temperature, is a very important factor to monitor while holding live baitfish.

Production of cocahoe minnow eggs is achievable throughout late spring and fall months. Utilization of fertilized ponds has been successful in several southern coastal states.

Fish predators can cause considerable losses of fish produced in aquaculture. This document provides a list of the most common fish predators at aquaculture ponds.

Keeping fish healthy while hauling is very important for survival. Water quality is the most important factor to manage while hauling fish. This document describes how to manage water quality and haul fish safely.

Cocahoe minnows are adapted to having their eggs exposed to both air and water due to rising and falling tides. This document is a description of how we imitate this behavior by using air incubation in the lab to produce and hatch larvae.

Fish kills occur both in natural populations and under aquaculture conditions. When fish kills or disease outbreaks occur on a fishfarm or private pond or lake, it is usually an emergency. To optimize the response to a fishkill, producers should be prepared.

This article discusses various aspects of marketing crawfish with emphasis on Louisiana. Topics covered include: seasonal and annual supply, influence of Chinese imports on the industry, pricing, product forms, including live and processed product, marketing influences, purging and cleaning, transporting and storing live crawfish, production strategies for identified markets, and regulations and permits.

This newsletter discusses considerations in early-season crawfish harvesting, baiting strategies, control of nusiance wildlife in crawfish ponds, and dates, times and locations of upcoming crawfish producers workshops.

Efforts to collect wild broodfish for hatchery production of red drum fingerlings are usually most successful during or just before the fall spawning period, although some success may be realized at other times.

Alligator Contacts Within the LSU Agricultural Center and LSU Baton Rouge Campus

Cocahoe minnows require a minimal salinity to grow and thrive. The type of water you use and the type of salt can make a large difference in the survival and growth of these fish.

Live baitfish for saltwater angling is typically a seasonally available commodity due to the reliance on wild-caught animals. Cultured cocahoe minnows could help supplement the wild-caught baitfish supply, thus serving as a viable revenue source for producers. Staff from the LSU AgCenter, in conjunction with Louisiana Sea Grant and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, produced a survey for baitfish dealers. The following report is a summary of the responses from the survey.

The purpose of this publication is to provide prospective pond owners with the basic information needed to understand the process involved in establishing and maintaining a quality pond.

Channel cattish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), is the most important species of aquatic animal commercially cultured in the United States.

Crawfish research and extension specialists in the LSU AgCenter often receive inquiries from producers regarding the need or benefit of liming ponds or fields used for crawfish production. The following article discusses calcium and water hardness requirements for crawfish, benefits and limitations of liming, and where to get your water and soil tested to determine if lime is required for your crawfish pond(s).

Schedule of upcoming baitfish workshops across the state. The cocahoe minnow also known as the Gulf killifish or mud minnow is a popular baitfish for such sport fish as speckled trout, redfish and flounder. This workshop will explore methods in culturing these fish both in a pond and tank setting.

Water gardens or garden pools have become a popular part of landscape architecture in the United States. Water gardens are visually soothing and seem to connect people to the natural aquatic world. The esthetic value of water gardens is enhanced by the almost endless variety of design and planting options that make each one a unique and personal creation.

This document is Chapter 8 in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter discusses factors affecting crawfish catch and size of crawfish at harvest, trap types, baits, baiting strategies, trapping strategies and harvesting machinery.

This glossary was developed to provide a better understanding of many of the terms used in the crawfish production manual. This document is the Glossary in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual.

This document is Chapter 6 in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter discusses factors to consider when stocking crawfish including species and size of crawfish, suggested months of stocking, handling crawfish broodstock, stocking rates, sex ratio and condition of broostock, and post-stocking recommendations.

The challenge farmers face this season is to produce a crawfish crop as inexpensively as possible. When to flood, how deep to flood and managing water quality must all be considered so as to pump as little as possible.

Over the last several years, crawfish farmers have been switching to a slightly different crawfish trap – one constructed of ¾-inch square mesh wire in lieu of those made from ¾-inch hexagonal (6-sided) mesh. The square mesh traps are more durable and produce larger catches.

Captured "red swamp crawfish" vary widely in color because of their diet and environmental conditions, but the most exotic colors occur because of mutations in the genes that are responsible for pigment formation.

This document is Chapter 2 in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter covers basic biology and life cycles of red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish, burrow ecology, population dynamics and population structure, molting, and nutrition and feeding habits of crawfish.

This newsletter addresses the November 10 crawfish referendum to renew the assessment on crawfish artificial bait and sacks (bags), trap spacing guidelines, dip net sampling of juvenile crawfish for population assessment, the importance of secondary juvenile crawfish recruitment to overall crawfish yield, and a frequently asked question on the relationship between trap mesh and size of crawfish harvested.

Heavy rainfall and winter feeding tend to add up to conditions that can lead to brown blood disease in the spring. Brown blood is caused by the buildup of nitrates in ponds, which produces a result similar to carbon monoxide poisoning.

This article discusses the life history and biology of the Procambarid crawfishes, the red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish.

September 08 Crawfish News. This newsletter addresses fall flooding considerations, storm water management, pumping efficiency and energy cost, and relationship of temperature and crawfish growth.

There are two methods used in the production of food-sized red drum. The more conventional method is semi-intensive culture in ponds. The other method, intensive indoor raceway culture, is unproven from an economic standpoint. This publication focuses on pond production.

This newsletter discusses managing water for fall flood-up, the importance of BOD on water quality and oxygen management in crawfish ponds, and crawfish industry news.

This study was designed to examine the biological and economic efficacy of relaying crawfish into a growing rice crop in an intercropping manner. (PDF format only)

This newsletter discusses armyworm control in late summer planted crawfish forage, results of research on the potential effects of summer drought and excessive summer rainfall on crawifsh survival and reproduction prior to fall flood-up, irrigation of crawfish forage crops with slightly salty water, and LSU AgCenter crawfish news.

Basic methods used to control weeds include preventive, mechanical, biological and chemical techniques. Determining which of these techniques to use involves consideration of the target weed species, fish production objectives for the pond, secondary water uses and the cost of treatment options.

This newsletter discusses control of armyworms in late planted crawfish forages, managing wild trash fish in crawfish ponds, the benefits of crawfish ponds as wetland habitat for waterbirds, managing excess water associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, and crawfish legislation passed in the 2010 legislative session.

Production of fingerling and stocker red drum is normally practiced by hatchery producers. At the same time, these are completely different operations and require different areas, practices and expertise. Usually the larvae are secured at an age of about 3 days, and one of two methods of production is used. Only pond culture production methods are presented here.

This BMP manual is a guide for the selection, implementation and management of practices that will help growers conserve soil and protect water and air resources. (PDF format only)

The commercial production of catfish in the United States has increased at a phenomenal rate in the last three decades. By 1997, channel catfish culture was the largest aquaculture industry in the United States, with catfish production representing 72 percent (by weight) and 55 percent (by value) of the entire industry (U.S. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture 1999).

Lakes and ponds can develop dense stands of aquatic vegetation that interfere with intended uses and destroy the natural beauty of the water. Most aquatic weed problems result from poor planning and poor management. Manipulating factors such as water, light and nutrients can help prevent weed growth.

This report is a survey of Louisiana wild commercial crawfish license holders conducted in 2010 to determine their preferences and perspectivesof actual and hypothetical regulations and management practices of the wild commercial crawfish fishery in Louisiana.

The high fish densities demanded by the market effectively reduce the availability of natural foods for individual fish. Thus, intensively cultured fish are generally fed prepared feeds to support maximum growth.

The three main fish species raisedfor bait in the southern region are the golden shiner, the fathead minnow, and the goldfish. Together, these three species account for more than 90 percent of farm-raised bait and feeder fish sales in the United States.

Although other prawn species are indigenous to the southern United States, they do not reach the size of the Malaysian Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). This quality makes the Malaysian Prawn an attractive option for producers.

The final phase of freshwater prawn (shrimp) production is grow-out of juveniles to adults for market as a food product. This publication provides guidelines for stocking and managing a fresh water prawn production pond.

The largemouth bass (Micropterussalmoides) is one of several “basses” that are actually members of the sunfish family. There are two recognized subspecies, the Florida and the Northern, which will blend genetically.

A variety of factors can reduce populations in fish ponds during the spring.

Forage species are primarily stocked in private waters throughout the Southeast as a food source for largemouth bass and other predator species. Unfortunately, the ideal forage species for all management situations does not exist. Therefore, managers often attempt to maximize largemouth bass production by stocking a multi-forage base. In many southeastern states, private landowners must rely on private hatcheries as sources for appropriate forage species.

The crawfish aquaculture industry, located primarily in Louisiana, has remained viable and resilient despite some considerable constraints. Success can be attributed to several factors.

Throughout the world, pond production of freshwater shrimp is usually based on culture of Marobrachium rosenbergii, which is native to the Indo-Pacific region. The tropical nature of the species hinders production in cooler climates. In Louisiana, the major constraints to production include cost and availability of post-larvae for stocking and temperature intolerance.

This document discusses uses for ponds other than fishing. These include livestock watering, fire control, wildlife habitat and swimming. Includes figures.

This document discusses the importance of managing bass and bream populations in your recreational pond and provides management recommendations.

Description:Proper use of fertilizer can increase fish yields two to five times. Fish are easier to catch in fertilized ponds because plankton turbidity limits their vision, causing them to be less wary. Plankton blooms also reduce light penetration to pond bottoms, preventing growth of troublesome aquatic weeds.

This document discusses important aspects of designing and constructing a recreational pond, along with illustrations of pond layouts and drainage options.

When fish are stressed, they are more susceptible to disease. This document discusses stress and diseases that fish can contract.

This document discusses the importance of water quality to a recreational pond and water quality characteristics.

This document provides information about when liming might be necessary and lime application methods.

This document discusses causes of muddy pond water and ways to prevent and control it.

This article discusses the procedures that should be taken to maximize the health of fingerlings when stocking your recreational pond.

This document discusses common nuisances and predators found in and around recreational ponds and gives suggestions on reducing their numbers.

This document introduces subjects that must be taken into consideration when creating a recreational pond, including permitting, public lands and waters, and liability.

This document explains causes, effects, and solutions for oxygen depletion. It also discusses other causes of fish kills, such as chemical contamination.

Aquatic weeds are a common problem in recreational ponds. This document discusses aquatic weeds and ways of controling them.

This document gives tips and information on renovating ponds to remove undesirable fish species.

Habitat is extremely important in supporting a successful fishery in your pond. This article provides information on depth considerations, habitat complexity and creating spawning areas for your fish.

When considering what fish to stock, determine your objectives in terms of food production, recreation, aesthetics or trophy angling and how much time you have to devote to pond management. Although many types of fish could be stocked into recreational ponds, few have the characteristics needed to provide quality fishing year after year.

Springtime diseases and oxygen losses in fish ponds are common throughout the Southeast.

Aquatic herbicides are chemicals used to kill aquatic plants or severely interrupt their growth. About 200 herbicides are registered by the EPA for use in the United States, but only six are labeled for use in aquaculture sites. It is important that aquaculturists use these registered herbicides in a safe and effective manner.

Herbicides are just one method of managing aquatic weeds. There are also: 1) preventive methods such as proper pond site selection and construction, fertilization andperiodic draw-downs; 2) biological methods such as grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella); and 3) mechanical methods such as cutting, seining and raking. Using a combination of methods is the most effective method of managing aquatic weeds.

Grass carp can effectively control aquatic vegetation, particularly submerged vegetation. The key to using grass carp is to stock the proper number based on their vegetation preferences, the water temperature, and the biomass and pond coverage of the plants.

This is an Excel spreadsheet-based record keeping system that allows crawfish producers to track production, sales and expense data throughout the production year.

An ever-increasing number of private landowners are constructing recreational ponds to meet their fishing needs while avoiding congestion associated with public watercourses. Includes pond management and resource information.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) has been confirmed in crawfish in a number of crawfish ponds in south Louisiana and in the Atchafalaya Basin. This is the first time this disease has been found in Louisiana crawfish. WSSV is a virus that only affects crustaceans. It does not affect people or other animals.

View the latest sampling results in a bar chart and table from 15 parishes.

This chapter (Chapter 9) from the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual discusses other management considerations in commercial crawfish farming, including pond flood-up, population management, supplemental feeding, managing ponds for larger crawfish, diseases, predators, nuisance wildlife, control methods and deveoping your business.

These studies show that diets for Morone hybrids may be refined by decreasing the dietary protein level, using alternate protein sources, and increasing carbohydrate in the diet.

Crawfish aquaculture relies on control of pond hydrology to simulate optimal wet and dry conditions occurring in natural riverine and wetland habitats. Crawfish grow and mature during the wet or flooded cycle and survive the dry periods by digging burrows.

The species of crawfish important in the southeastern United States are the red swamp crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) and the white river crawfish (Procambarus zonangulus). Culture methods are relatively simple compared to those for other aquatic animals. Crawfish culture can fit well with farm management plans because it uses marginal lands, existing labor and farm equipment during off-peak farming periods.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) has been confirmed for the first time in Louisiana crawfish. Following are best management practices to use to minimize the impact of the virus. These BMPs have been developed by the LSU AgCenter.

This article provides basic nutritional information on crawfish and guidelines for handling and care of live crawfish and crawfish tail-meat products. Several crawfish recipes are included.

Crawfish are healthy food. They are an excellent source of high-quality protein; low in calories, fat and saturated fat and a good source of vitamins. (PDF Format Only)

Teachers' resource manual, based on grade level expectations (GLE), using crawfish as the subject model to provide teaching materials for the subject areas of English, Math, Science and Social Studies from grades kindergarden through 8th grade, and high school science laboratory excercises.

Freshwater crawfish of the genus Procambarus are a valuable aquaculture commodity in the southern United States, with annual production of 30 to 50 million pounds and farm-gatevalues of $25 to 50 million. Unlike fishes, crawfish are not harvested by seining. Instead, crawfish are harvested with a passive system that uses baited traps.

This table provides industry statistics, including dock-side price per pound, for Louisiana farm-raised and wild crawfish. Source of statistics is the Louisiana Summary, Agriculture & Natural Resources, years 2000 through 2010.

This document presents estimated crawfish harvest production statistics in Louisiana from Aquaculture and the Wild Crop from 1978 through 2010. Information source: 1978 through 2010 Louisiana Summary: Agriculture and Natural Resources

BMPs for aquaculture enterprises are a specific set of practices used by growers to reduce the amount of soil, nutrients, pesticides and microbial contaminants entering surface water and groundwater while maintaining or improving productivity. This BMP manual is a guide for the selection, implementation and management of practices that will help growers conserve soil and protect water and air resources. (PDF format only)

This document is Chapter 5 in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter discusses forage selection and management recommendations for monocropping and rotational cropping systems, the benefits and limitations of cultivated and noncultivated forages, recommended planting dates and post-flood management of the forage crop.

This is Chapter 7 of the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter discusses water supply and quantity, water quality parameters of greatest importance and practices that affect water quality including flooding date and forage type. Best management practices (BMPs) to minimize the impact of tailwater releases on the environment are also discussed. This work was supported in part by EPA Grant #C9-996102-08 through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

This document is Chapter 3 in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter discusses the differences between crawfish monocropping systems and crop rotational systems, including rice-crawfish-rice and rice-crawfish-fallow (or rice-crawfish-soybean) systems.

This document is Chapter 4 in the Louisiana Crawfish Production Manual. The chapter discusses selecting an appropriate pond location, design and construction of crawfish ponds, and USDA-NRCS best management practices for crawfish pond construction.

July 2008. This newsletter has information on late-summer planting and management of crawfish forage crops, control measures for fall army worms, a brief overview on crawfish reproduction and an annoucement for an upcoming survey on crawfish production economics.

A device used to blow air into a pond to create movement of the water.

This fact sheet provides information on chemical test kits and meters for measuring oxygen, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and a list of vendors where oxygen-measuring kits or meters can be purchased.

This newsletter provides recommendations on stocking crawfish and planting forages in preparation for the 2011-2012 crawfish farming season.

This article discusses 10 best management practices that have been identified to minimize the potential impact of crawfish pond effluents (tailwater) on the environment.

This article discusses recommendations for maximizing efficiency of water use in commercial crawfish aquaculture.

This 1987 five-page article, written by Jay V. Huner and James E. Barr and published by the Louisiana Sea Grant Program, provides basic biological information on crawfishes, including taxonomy, anatomy, basic physiology, ecology and maintaining crawfish in aquaria for classroom activities. The material is suitable for high school-level biology.

This report presents estimates of projected costs of producing crawfish in Louisiana for the 2011 season.

This publication outlines some of the options for design, operation and maintenance of ornamental ponds and discusses basic environmental requirements of fish and plants commonly grown in these ponds. 20 pages. Full color. (PDF Format Only)

This newsletter recaps the season through February, discusses springtime oxygen management, crawfish growth, supplemental feeding, proper handling of the catch after harvest, and problems with nuisance algae. A status report on the crawfish rice variety "Ecrevisse" is provided and a memorial commentary on contributions to the crawfish industry by Don Gooch, former director of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Crawfish Research Center.

A list of supplies and vendors for raising and spawning cocahoe minnows.

A farm pond or recreational pond can serve many purposes: a source of food, an aesthetic enhancement to property, a sportfishing opportunity, a swimming area, wildlife habitat, or a reservoir for livestock, irrigation and fire fighting needs. The intended purpose or purposes should be well thought out before construction and stocking. This publication reviews planning considerations and management recommendations relating to a number of potential uses for small ponds in Louisiana.

This newsletter covers oxygen demand in crawfish ponds, dip-net sampling of crawfish populations, an introduction to crawfish population dynamics, and trap density and spacing recommendations.

Limited food resources near the end of the crawfish production season resulted in lower reproduction. Moreover, short-term feeding with high protein/high energy feeds in forage depleted ponds before crawfish burrowing seemed to mitigate the food shortages and even increased the spawning rate over those crawfish from ponds rich in forage.

This article describes materials and techniques for the construction of pillow traps and pyramid traps used to harvest crawfish in Louisiana's commercial crawfish industry

Whether from aquaculture or the natural fishery, the supply of live crawfish is highly seasonal, with peak harvest occurring from March through June. Supply-and-demand relationships are reflected in price variations from year to year and from week to week during the crawfish harvest season. Because of restricted geographical areas of production, seasonal supply, unstable prices and limited consumer awareness, crawfish sales nationally have been limited but have increased in recent years.

Letter containing information managing water quality and the spacing of traps in the field.

Letter containing information on the affects of Hurricane Humberto on crawfish ponds and an announcement for the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association annual membership meeting.

General information about techniques used in hatcheries to produce hybrid striped bass are covered by this publication.

The terms “baitfish” and “feeder fish” encompass a number of distinct species, each with its own nutritional requirements. Economic analyses clearly indicate that a feeding program is necessary for maximizing profit.

This list is comprised of contact information for pet turtle experts within the LSU Agricultural Center and the LSU - Baton Rouge campus.

Fingerling culture ponds are usually smaller than ponds used for grow out. The advantages to this practice, as well as food, water quality and harvesting requirements, are outlined in this publication.

Existing ponds normally do not need to be restocked. New ponds require 50-60 pounds per acre of mature crawfish. Drain ponds 2-3 weeks after stocking to allow time for crawfish to burrow into the ground.

The aquaculture industry is looking increasingly to genetic improvement for gains in production. But improving the genetics of aquatic species can take a long time. With catfish, for instance, a male typically spawns with only one female each season. Even if genetically superior males and females could be identified, the process of developing breeding stock and improved lines could take a decade or more.

Turtle farming has been practiced for decades in Louisiana. The industry developed to produce baby turtles, specifically red-earsliders (Trachemys scripta elegans),for sale as pets. This publication reviews commonly used production and marketing techniques.

Topics covered include when to cease harvesting and when to drain ponds, planting crawfish forages, liming of crawfish ponds, the importance of record keeping and a brief review of crawfish burrow ecology.

During the summer and early fall, it is not unusual for fish kills to occur in commercial ponds under uncertain circumstances.

Projected Costs and Returns for Crawfish Production in Louisiana, 2010

Enjoy Louisiana crawfish for delicious taste and good nutrition. Crawfish are an excellent source of high-quality protein and are low in calories, fat and saturated fat. Information on types of crawfish, availability, cooking, freezing, nutrients and recipes included. (PDF Format Only)

Virtually all crawfish sold by farmers and fishermen are alive. This market necessitates that crawfish remain alive until cooked, which may require several days or longer in some cases.

Alligator production in environmentally controlled houses is similar in intensity to production in poultry and swine houses. As with any highly intensified agriculture activity, alligator farming has a high degree of risk and demands special management skills. PDF Only

The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a marine fish that naturally ranges from Central Mexico on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to Massachusetts on the Atlantic Ocean. Red drum have been taken in small numbers by commercial fishermen on the Atlantic Coast for many years, but the species is important only on the Gulf Coast.

(Distributed 09/05/08) Rain resulting from Hurricane Gustav across the crawfish-producing parishes of Louisiana may cause problems for crawfish producers, according to LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialists Greg Lutz and Mark Shirley.

Including seafood as part of an overall balanced diet can provide many health benefits. This publication includes tips on selecting, storing and using seafood. (PDF Format Only)

Farming crawfish requires pumping water. Pumping water costs money. Although there is really no way to get around these facts, we can take action to minimize pumping costs.

To reduce losses caused by hungry birds, aquaculture farmers spend as much as $100,000 a year on abatement programs. Now, two LSU AgCenter agricultural engineers have developed robotic boats to keep these predators out of commercial ponds.

NEW ORLEANS – A four-day international gathering of more than 400 rice scientists and agricultural industry representatives came to a close Wednesday (March 3).

Proper design and construction of ponds is critical to the success of a commercial catfish operation. Well-designed ponds, constructed on soil with proper clay content and adequate water supply, have a useful life of at least 10 years.

Considerable thought and planning should go into selecting sites for commercial fish production ponds. Construction costs, ease and cost of operation, and productivity can be greatly affected by the site selected.

To be profitable, an aquaculture pond must be sited properly and designed for efficiency. An inaccessible location, leaks in the pond, poor seining conditions, or lack of good quality water will doom an aquaculture enterprise to failure.

"Let’s go fishing" are the buzz words around the elementary and junior high schools in Plaquemines Parish – thanks to LSU AgCenter 4-H agent Wayne Burgess and some outstanding volunteers. According to Burgess, who is an LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, aquatic education has been part of his program for the past eight years.

Two LSU AgCenter faculty members have been elected to key leadership positions in the World Aquaculture Society.

Aquaculture professor Dr. Ray McClain is one of three crawfish researchers in the state – and one of only a handful in the nation. The LSU AgCenter researcher says farming crawfish is all about replicating conditions of their natural habitat.

Nine aquaculture research projects recently received nearly $293,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grants will be used to support research with catfish, crawfish, hybrid striped bass, alligator and freshwater drum.

Although many catfish producers rely on commercial hatcheries for fingerlings, onsite fingerling production is an important part of many operations. The tips below address channel catfish fry production in the hatchery and managing ponds for rearing fry into fingerlings.