How to Make a Simple DIY Crawdad Trap

Want to catch crawdads (also called crayfish or crawfish) with materials you probably already have at home? This easy DIY trap takes just a few minutes to make and worked great for our family...we left it in a creek, and came back to a big, healthy crawdad waiting for us the next morning.

Some of my favorite childhood memories happened in the little creek behind my Mamaw and Papaw's house in Ohio, where we'd spend hours catching crawdads. Years later, it's incredibly special to pass that same tradition on to my own children and watch them experience the same excitement I did.

Materials

• 1 empty plastic bottle (2-liter bottles work great)

• Razor knife, utility knife, sturdy scissors, or a craft knife

• 2 zip ties

• Hot dog pieces (or other bait)

• Small rocks

  

Step 1: Cut the Bottle

Using a razor knife, scissors, or another sharp cutting tool, cut off the top quarter of the plastic bottle.

You'll now have:

• The main bottle body

• The funnel-shaped top

  

  
  

Step 2: Create the Funnel

Turn the top piece upside down and place it back inside the bottle.

This creates a funnel that allows crawdads to easily crawl into the trap but makes it much harder for them to find their way back out.

Step 3: Secure the Funnel

On each side of the bottle, cut a small notch or hole that goes through both the outer bottle and the inverted top piece.

Feed a zip tie through each hole and pull it tight.

Repeat on the opposite side so the funnel is securely attached.

Trim the excess ends from the zip ties so they aren't sticking out.

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Step 4: Add the Bait

Cut a hot dog into several small pieces.

Drop the pieces through the funnel opening so they fall all the way to the bottom of the bottle.

The scent of the bait will attract nearby crawdads into the trap.

Step 5: Weight the Trap

Fill the bottle with a generous amount of small rocks.

The rocks help:

• Keep the trap from floating away

• Hold it steady in moving water

• Keep it sitting naturally on the creek bottom

  

Step 6: Place the Trap

Find a shallow section of creek where crawdads are likely to hide, especially around rocks, logs, or slow-moving water.

Set the trap on the creek bottom and place a few larger rocks around it to help keep it securely in place.

Step 7: Let It Sit

We left our trap all day, and when we came back,- we had successfully caught a big, fat crawdad!

Depending on your creek and local conditions, you may have luck checking it after a few hours or leaving it overnight.

Tips for Success

• Look for rocky creeks with clear, flowing water.

• Fresh bait usually works best.

• Make sure the trap is heavy enough that it won't wash downstream.

• Check your trap regularly and always follow local fishing and wildlife regulations for catching crayfish in your area.

  
  

Happy adventuring...and good luck catching crawdads!