If you are taking crayfish you need to check they are not soft. The females are moulting at the moment over the for the next few weeks during April and Males moult around November. Basically if they are spongy when you lightly squeeze them they are illegal. If you are not sure how to tell the sex of a crayfish, click on the portal in our links page https://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/fishing/fishing-rules/central-area-fishing-rules/ to find out all about these & other rules/ information on seafood in our area.
When the females have moulted they will mate with the males & move to deeper water. When females are in egg phase they can not be taken. Eggs are locate under the tail. Females normally release their eggs by October.
