Northern Crayfish

Also known as Virile Crayfish, Eastern Crayfish, Lake Crayfish, Common Crawfish

Northern crayfish are robust freshwater crustaceans recognizable by their olive-green to reddish-brown bodies and distinctively large, blue-tinged claws dotted with yellowish bumps. Active primarily at night, they seek refuge under flat stones and submerged timber during the day to evade predators and conserve energy. As opportunistic omnivores, they play a critical ecological role by shredding fallen leaves and controlling aquatic invertebrate populations.