Hey guys I am trapping an open pond where there is no tall grass. The otter have “slides” all around the pond and I did my best to set 220s around them but the otter aren’t stupid and are just jumping into the pond right next to slides now. They are blended the best that I could but after the landowner cut the tall grass it stands out like a sore thumb. I am nervous to use bait here because it would be just my luck to catch someone’s cat. I guess I could put the bucket sets underwater but the pond is frozen right now. Footholds are another option but they are just jumping into the pond anywhere they want it seems like.

I am debating putting up chicken wire around the pond except the area where the slides are. Essentially funneling them in. It’s a small pond. Do you guys think that fencing is a good idea and will funnel them in? Thank you

I'm no otter trapper but I'd try laying footholds in where you see them going in an out

I’d probably have to line the pond lever to lever to cover enough ground. The devils are just hopping in and out any old where.

Are they living In the pond? If not they must be coming from some other water source. Try and find out where
they are coming from.

If they have existing slides, could you remove the 220s and then set foot holds on those slides when they start using them again? If not, maybe flashy dirtholes?

If it’s small, they’ll have it cleaned out in no time and moving to the next.

Thank you guys for the support. They are not living in the pond as far as I can tell, and are coming from the river about 2 acres across an open well groomed field. I have setup on the river now where I’ve seen them come from. I will be making more sets in / at the river when I get the new gear tomorrow at the pinch points.

I will remove these slide 220s soon and set footholds on the slides as you guys suggested. Thank you.

I am a bit nervous to use bait because this is a very expensive neighborhood. If I draw in a little doodle it’s gonna be trouble.

The guy stocks the pond so they have plenty of food. They have been coming here for years apparently!

I guess my fence idea is overkill. They are basically coming in and out from every direction but maybe after I kill a few they all will leave!

Thank you all.

Put in a few fish stick sets in about 6" of water in the pond's edges.

Get em before they get to the pond.

What's a fish stick set? I got a couple otters I can't seem to get in my pond.

Good Advice
I trap a local trout farm, fill my tags and then nuisance- dead otters in a 330 could traumatize the Chicago Youth that think they're fishing up north. The otters do not live in the pond but their food source does, I trap them in tributaries that lead to the spring feed ponds sometimes a hundred yards from their final destination.
The Beav unknowingly skins a lot of these otters every year- thanks Gary.

He uses same stake for traps and fish. Not required to do it that way. BTW, Dale has a bunch of good videos of many otter sets.

Thanks Hayday, great video!

Thanks, great video. Unfortunately we can not use open baits in VA. However, I will try the pocket set. Thanks for the info.

If you are worried about catching a domestic critter, way not set a cage trap? I've used one for otter before and it works great. Simply anchor it down in shallow water, bait it, and I covered it with an old oyster sack and some brush. Pretty simple and if you do catch a non target animal, no harm.

Cut a piece of pvc pipe and put rod thru it (like a T) can use a cable clamp on top and bottom of pvc to hold it in place on the rod(rebar)
Thanks Beav for the clamp idea!




This one is metal

Wrap some grass around the fish. Coat the whole thing well with fish oil.

It seems to me your going to catch a lot more coon then otter with this fish stick set up.
Find out where they are leaving the creek and traveling to the pond. A foot hold set In the water at the take out or set a 330 at that take out.