Crawfish season runs from which dates?

• A. May 1 to July 31
• B. December 1 to February 28
• C. August 1 to March 31
• D. January 1 to April 30

Answer: (C)

Harvest seasons for crawfish are set to balance people’s ability to fish with protecting the crawfish population, using factors like water temperature and the creatures’ life cycles. The open period from August 1 through March 31 fits that balance by covering late summer, fall, winter, and early spring when crawfish are active enough to catch but before the hottest months and peak breeding in late spring and summer.

Opening in August lets anglers start when crawfish are available again after summer, while staying open through winter into early spring. Closing from April through July helps protect crawfish during sensitive times like molting and reproduction and avoids the peak heat and stress of summer. The other options either cut off too much of the year or include months that aren’t aligned with typical management goals, making them less practical for sustainable harvesting.