Abstract

Annual production of age-1 and age-2 crayfish of three populations in the New River, West Virginia, was quantified and then compared to previously reported harvest of crayfish by a bait fishery. Sampling of crayfish within circular plots and age and growth analyses aided estimation of crayfish production. Orconectes sanbornii sanbornii has a two-year life cycle, and Cambarus sciotensis and Orconectes virilis had three-year life cycles. Production by age-1 and age-2 crayfish (all species) was about 7.0 g live weight m−2 yr−1; almost half of this production was by C. sciotensis. Greater crayfish density and therefore production occurred in riffles than in pools. Annual crayfish harvest by anglers and commercial catchers was equivalent to about 5% of annual crayfish production.

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