Michigan DNR tackles invasive crayfish
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is investigating an infestation of invasive red swamp crayfish found in Cass County. While colder temperatures are slowing them down, state wildlife officials said the threat is not going away. Native to the southern United States, the crayfish become more active as temperatures rise. The DNR plans to assess the extent of the infestation next spring, when warmer weather makes the crayfish easier to detect. Kathleen Quebedeaux, fisheries biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the state will have people in the field to learn more as they work toward next steps. "In the spring, we would like to go out and talk with nearby landowners to the found invaded sites, determine how widespread that invasion is in that site in Cass County, and that will kind of determine our options," Quebedeaux said. In September, two dead specimens were found in a private pond near Niles, marking the county's first confirmed detection. Red swamp crayfish have been prohibited in Michigan since 2014, and populations were first detected in the state in 2017. Residents can report suspected sightings and learn more at Michigan.gov/invasives . Invasive red swamp crayfish can damage aquatic vegetation, compete
