I was just wondering about how to trap a otter. Could you you please help me on what types of sets to use, what bait, what size trap, and anything else you think might be helpfull to me.
Thanks for your time.

I like a 4 coiled, heavy swiveled trap with laminated jaws...unless you mean "kill traps", then I like the Bullseye trigger on a 330-550 Savage or Beliese.

This winter, go set a couple beaver colonies. Set the houses and bank dens w/ 330's.

You'll catch an otter sooner or later...probably sooner.

A 280 or 330 in a culvert or choke point on a small creek is also good.

You should have plenty of otter around Shawano...lots of options, but I'd stick to blind sets w/ 280' or 330's.

Good Luck!

Thanks Lt Grey.

Kre do you live in WI? Also would a 220 work for an otter, would a MB 550 work for a foothold.

Yep, I do live in WI. And yes, a 220 will work for otter.

Ok thanks. Would an MB 550 work for an otter?

Yes, a 550 will work but it's best to attach it to a drowner wire and stake in a couple feet of water.

I picked up a nice double last Fall. A Red fox in one dirthole with a 1&1/2 cs and a large male otter in another dirthole only eight or so feet away. He was also in a 1&1/2 staked solid on dry ground. The jaws were bent and he'd probably got away if I hadn't been out checking early. Otters are strong and demand a strong trap.

I like small streams off of large rivers. Choke down an area just big enough for a 220 or 280. Use a dive stick and stake that trap.

how much weight for the bottom ? how do you stake all this ? thanks for any advice

Ey aprophet, you want to keep your drowning wire tight so it doesn't get any kinks. I find the best way to do this is to take an 18 or 24 inch rebar stake and pound it in the bank right alongside your set. Tie baling wire to stake, run wire through drowning swivel on trap(make sure swivel faces right direction) then attach wire to another stake out in a couple feet of water.
If bottom is very rocky you can tie wire to large rock or a hand full of railroad tie plates. I've never actually weighed anything out on the line but I'd say about twenty five pounds or so.

Hope that helps.

Hey thanks beachcomber. Do you happen to have some pics of the drowning wire set up?

coonbuster if you look in the archives the same downer set up used for beaver will work fine on an otter

has any body ever tried drowning rods with R.R. tie plates ? Are does that sound like a brain fart ?

Ok thanks guys.

Never used drowning rods before. I usually have to do a bit of walking if I'm gonna water trap, so try to travel light.

Ya so do I.

No one mentioned a 330 in a crossover?

I've taken more otter that way than any other.

What does that look like?

I'm afraid I don't have a picture for you. Just picture a crawl out with a 330 in front of it - same idea.

where I am trapping I am using a canoe probably around 5-6 miles of small creek coming from a river It is kina like one long crossover connecting two rivers. some places I may have to wade most of the way I will paddle