Chinese mitten crabs are easy to recognize by their fuzzy “mittens” on their claws and their lack of paddles on their rear legs. While they live most of their lives in freshwater, LDWF said they migrate to marine waters to spawn and have been known to travel over 750 miles up rivers in other regions.

LDWF said sightings have been extremely rare, but in January 2025, two of the crabs were found near the mouth of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish. They are believed to have originally arrived in the United States as hitchhikers on ships or through ballast water.

LDWF said if you think you have caught a Chinese mitten crab, let them know by reporting any sightings to their Aquatic Invasive Species Hotline at (225) 765-3977.

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