Our Bay: DNR Rail

ASK AN EXPERT

What are rusty crayfish and how can I stop their spread?

The rusty crayfish is a large, aggressive species of freshwater crayfish. It is an invasive bait animal that has been introduced by anglers into 14 states and Canada. They were recently found in Maryland in portions of the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers.

You can identify a rusty crayfish by a rust-colored spot on either side of the body just above their tail. Their claws are grayish-green to reddish-brown and have black bands on the tips.

Rusties mature quickly and can grow to be larger than 5 inches. Rusties can dramatically change the lakes, streams and rivers they invade, often causing the loss of native crayfishes and reduce the quality of the habitat and food available to other animals.

You can help stop the spread of rusty crayfish and other invasive animals and plants by properly discarding your unused fishing bait. You should never release live bait of any kind into Maryland waters.

Unfortunately, the simple act of dumping unused live bait from your bait bucket can lead to the accidental spread of invasive animals and plants into Maryland's lakes, streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay

For more information on rusty crayfish and other invasive species, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.

Answered by: Jay Kilian, Resource Assessment Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

CREATURE FEATURE

Chain Pickerel Esox niger

The chain pickerel, a popular gamefish along the Atlantic Coast, is found primarily in Maryland freshwater and the tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

The species is distinguished from its relatives, the Northern Pike and Muskellunge, by its prominent chain-like markings on a contrasting lighter green background.

The chain pickerel can live for 10 years, reach a length of 3 feet and weigh more than 7 pounds. The species is characterized by a slender body, which is somewhat compressed and deepest near the middle. It has yellow pupils, with a conspicuous dark bar beneath each. Its snout is long, broad and rounded, and it has a large mouth with very sharp teeth.

The pickerel is a sight-oriented predator and is predominately active during the day. It is quite an opportunistic feeder and can strike with incredible speed. The main diet of the pickerel consists of small fish, crayfish, frogs, mice, newts and insects.

It is active through the winter and an aggressive fighter once hooked, thus making one an exciting catch for ice anglers.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Chesapeake Bay experiences the rise and fall of tides twice a day. High tide takes 13 hours to travel from the mouth of the bay to the head of the bay.

TIP OF THE WEEK

As a responsible dog owner, be careful to scoop up what your dog leaves behind. Then flush the waste down the toilet instead of dropping it in the garbage so it can be properly treated by a sewage or septic system.