isherman beware — An aquatic invader has hit Manitoba. Manitoba Water Stewardship is asking anglers to help prevent the spread of the rusty crayfish.

The rusty crayfish is an aggressive species recently spotted in Falcon Lake. The province says the species threatens to displace native crayfish and can severely reduce lake and stream vegetation, driving native fish from their habitat.

Rusty crayfish are native to the Ohio River system but were found in Lake of the Woods in the early 1960s, followed by the Ontario portion of the Winnipeg River in 2005.

Their 2007 spread to Falcon Lake may have been caused by the transfer of live bait by anglers.

Rusty crayfish can be identified by their larger size and predominant rusty-coloured patches on either side of their body. Their claws are stronger and larger than native crayfish and the claw tips have distinct black bands.

In May 2007, a ban made the possession of any type of crayfish illegal in Manitoba in an attempt to reduce the risk of introducing them into other bodies of water.

The public is advised to never use crayfish as bait, collect crayfish, eat crayfish, or transport them from one body of water to another.

Anglers are also urged to remove mud, vegetation and bilge from boats prior to transport.

http://winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2007/08/22/4438355.html

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