With its clear rivers and pristine mountain lakes, Idaho is a prime location for fishing and catching crawfish. And thanks to Idaho Falls-based Crayster, it’s easier than ever to catch crawfish, also known as crayfish or crawdads.

Crawfish are similar to lobsters and hundreds of species can be found in North America. Although many people think of crawfishing as a Louisiana Cajun tradition, you can find crawfish in Idaho as well. Crayster has helped revitalize interest in the sport since its founding in 2005.

Mike Burrell, co-owner and founder of Crayster, shares insights on crawfishing and his journey as a small business owner.

What do you want people to know about your small business?

“Our team has a lifetime of experience in crawfishing and we’re passionate about providing crawfishing tips and products and fostering community. We manufacture the best fishing gear for crawfish in the U.S., specifically designed for local species. Many traps aren’t designed for North American crawfish, which are often too large to fit into traps manufactured outside the U.S.”

"We have a Facebook Page with members in 25 states where our team shares how to find, catch and cook crawfish. Our Crayster teams in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming help field questions and troubleshoot problems."

Why are you passionate about crawfishing?

“I have a lot of treasured memories crawfishing with my family, which inspired me to start Crayster. I went crawfishing with my son Jake when he was 5 or 6 years old and we were struggling to catch crawfish with the traps we bought.”

“After an unproductive fishing trip, Jake looked at me and said, ‘Dad, these traps are horrible. We need to make our own.’ After we created effective traps, my friend created a YouTube channel for us and it blew up with hundreds of views.”

“We launched our business and patented our first trap, and started manufacturing them at our facility in Ammon, Idaho, managed by co-owner Jerry Struhs. My son is 25 now, but we still go out and have a great time crawfishing. We want to help our customers also enjoy their crawfishing experience and be successful.” 

What do you want people to know about crawfish?

“Our team believes that crawfish taste exactly like lobster — in fact, sometimes restaurants serve crawfish and call it lobster. In our area and some others, there are no limits to catching crawfish because they reproduce faster than they can be caught. Of course, you’ll want to check your local area for limits and obtain any required fishing licenses.”

“Crawfishing is incredibly economical. It’s possible to feed between 20-30 people in only one day’s catch. In fact, we once fed 600 people with the catch from only 14 crawfishers. It’s possible with the right equipment and strategy!”

Crayster has cultivated a loyal following. How can other small businesses follow your example?

“You need to have a passion for your business and customers! If you’re only in business to make a dollar, you’re less likely to be successful. But if you care about your customers and want the best for them, it affects every aspect of your company.”

“We didn’t create our traps to make money — we had a passion for crawfishing and wanted to share it with others. Our customers recognize our shared passion and it’s created strong brand loyalty.”

Why did you choose to work with Zions Bank and how has it helped your small business?

“I was referred to Zions Bank 20 years ago and I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had as a customer. When I walk in my branch, they know me by name and they proactively contact me with my best interests in mind. I really like their community outreach and charitable donations to local organizations, which demonstrates they care about the communities they do business in.”

“I’ve had a wonderful experience with my banker and had the opportunity to visit with the CEO of Zions Bank. From the top down, I’ve seen that Zions Bank cares about their customers, and that’s why I continue to bank with Zions.”

Looking for a bank that’s invested in your future and can help you reach your financial goals?  Zions Bank’s team of relationship managers can provide small business success strategies as well as funding options, including U.S. Small Business Administration loans. Visit a local Zions Bank branch to learn more.