The river on my property has a ton of crayfish in it that are very easy to catch. Here in MN we are allowed 25lbs at a time for personal use. What should I do with them, I would like to make some sort of bait for coon/mink, and also oil. How would I make a good oil? Does oil need preservative or stabilizer? What would be the best way to make bait?

I have caught them and ate them. They aren't bad if you flush them out a little first. I may try to make some type of oil for trapping out of the remains.

put thim inh a mason jar in the sun and make oil like fish oil

My hunch is that you may be further ahead to freeze the crayfish whole to use as a "bait," or sight attractant for coon and mink. Even though you have the crawfish resource to make the oil, it is a time consuming process to produce a quality product in the do it yourself department. Though, I would not discourage you from trying that. Just thought, to start out with, it may be more prudent to purchase a commercial grade of quality "shellfish" oil.

The procedures would be the same as those used for making your own fish oil. Search the archives for the procedures. If you have problems locating any information, PM me and I will send what info that I have. Do not think it would be appropriate to drop it here right now.

Jonathan

Just remembered. Member 45/70 is the expert on this as I recall. Hopefully he will respond.

Jonathan

johnsd,
oil is made sameway as you would fish oil.
i ust got done makin bait, funny you asked.
1 1/2 quarts ground fresh crawdads
3 oz crawdad oil - bought from trapper art supply
1/2 oz shellfish oil - to spike it up
3 oz glycerine - freeze proof
2 tbs sodium benzoate - to preserve
your grinder needs big holes, or will jam up
i have used this for years- awsom on coon mink otter even fisher & canines good luck wildman

.... more like crayfish juice is what the sun makes. Crayfish oil is synthetic!