Why do I sometimes see crawfish leaving the water to cross the road to go into the woods? I have witnessed this a few times now. Do they lay eggs on land? What are they doing?

Eggs reside on the underside of the female's tail while they mature.  I'm sure it was just looking for another water source.

Many species of crayfish are burrowing crayfish that don't necessarily live in water at all times.  Prairie Crayfish, for instance, can inhabit grasslands and prairie literally miles from a water source.  They burrow up to six feet deep, and live rather solitary existence.

Eggs reside on the underside of the female's tail while they mature.  I'm sure it was just looking for another water source.

 

Yes, they are looking for another pond, river, lake, etc.

I seen the same thing I was gonna catch it put a hook in it and see what happened lol

I caught a big crawfish in a rag I had but by the time I got it to my hook it jumped off the low bridge into the water. These draws are red with darker backs.

Yelp they be going to the next water hole, I've caught sacks full while they were crossing a road

There are 300 spcies of crawfish

Many species of crayfish are burrowing crayfish that don't necessarily live in water at all times.  Prairie Crayfish, for instance, can inhabit grasslands and prairie literally miles from a water source.  They burrow up to six feet deep, and live rather solitary existence.

They're a lot bulkier built than most craws you'll see in a lake too.