Crayfishing season opens in Iitti, Finland, with expert tips for success

The crayfishing season kicked off on Sunday, and forecasts predict a successful season due to the warm early summer. Juha Haapaniemi, a fishing inspector from Vuolenkoski in Iitti, is ready to embark on his first crayfishing outing of the season this Tuesday night. He possesses expert knowledge on the best methods for catching crayfish.

Haapaniemi recommends using sausages and bananas as bait. He notes that crayfish are also attracted to strong scents, creating a fragrant trap using an old xylitol container. “This container has a strong xylitol smell. I always had the best luck with crayfish where I used this trick,” he says.

Other effective baits include honey and vanilla. The unique design of Haapaniemi’s xylitol trap ensures that the strong odor remains potent and deters pesky gulls from stealing the bait.

When transporting the caught crayfish for sale, Haapaniemi advises using a tank with oxygenated water that can be replenished. It’s essential to include food like potatoes, carrots, or edible plants in the tank to keep the crayfish healthy.

He warns that many novice crayfishers set their traps too close to the shore. “There should be ample depth—at least 10 meters, preferably up to 20 meters,” he suggests.

Those seeking crayfish should make sure they are live when cooked to ensure freshness. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has indicated that boiling is more humane than methods like decapitation or electrocution. Haapaniemi advises boiling the crayfish in separate pots, ensuring the water is truly boiling, for optimal preparation. The crayfishing season will continue until the end of October.