Forums36
Topics40,964
Posts558,005
Members18,506
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
As of about May my bass catching has been all but been non existent. I have had 20+ fish days out of each of my acre and a half ponds that are side by side. I knew i have good sized fish in there and live 50ft from both ponds but I stopped seeing any activity. No one else fishes my ponds. Now, yesterday I saw 3 to 4 good size river otters swimming around and have decided to trap them. I called a local trapper and he came out and said I have a colony of muskrats on top of this otter problem. Follow me on this one....I have been trying my tail off at learning how to get rid of a bad rusty crawfish problem, at least what I assumed was a crawfish problem. I have holes that surround my pond every foot or so in the diameter of about 3 inches, but no mounds on top, flat holes on slow grading banks. I have went around at night with a spot light and have seen BIG, I mean BIG crawfish lerch back into their holes, but they are 10-20ft away from my bank. Now,....for reference, my ponds are drained 3-4ft in Pond B and 10 ft in the other, Pond A. Pond A we will call it has 30 ft of exposed bank with grass now grown on it before the dam. Pond B, has steeper banks but also has grass now grown on it. They have been this way for 2 to 3 years. I have almost finish cut grass on most of the property see no huts, no big gaping holes in the banks edge like muskrats would make. After rains I can hear the water draining out of my lake under the dams core and out behind the dam wall.
Question 1: Is this damage really muskrats?
Q2: Do muskrats dig holes in the middle of grass 10 ft away from water, almost straight down?
Q3: Besides trapping, any good way of finding out if they are in fact whats making my fish disappear? FYI.....I see no half eaten fish, no floaters, no nothing.....just water.
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2 |
what state is never never land in ?
Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Pics would be helpful. Do you see any muskrat runs along the pond bottom? They would look like little round bottom ditches 8 inches or so wide.
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
I'll post pictures soon. I'm going to upload to a link. I'm in Kentucky in an area that is very wet usually, about a mile from a decent creek and 4 miles from a good size river. No runs at all.
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
Otters can decimate a pond, taking large fish out.
You may want to change your location in your signature to Kentucky instead of never never land, or you will be constantly asked where you are located. Information for ponds is highly geographic, meaning what works well in Texas might not work well in Minnesota.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
I'll edit location soon. It was that way for a reason. Upon which, I believe has passed.
Last edited by For the Family; 12/07/15 03:24 PM.
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2 |
I believe Rusties might be native to your area however I have never heard of them Borrowing above the water line. They could be Red Swamp Crayfish or another borrower.
Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6,980 Likes: 15
Ambassador Lunker
|
Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6,980 Likes: 15 |
Have you tried using live bait, (bluegills or other fish) below a float?? Hard for a bass to resist.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
I've not tried live bait. I've got gizzard shad as big as your hand in both ponds. There is enough forage to support growing big bass. I'll try live bait to see.
My trapper thinks the craw fish are using the old muskrat holes. I've NEVER seen any of these craw fish outside a hole. They're big, and aggressive. I'll post pictures probably tomorrow....you can tell me what type they are.
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
IMHO The presence of a large number of shad makes me think the otters did not wipe out the pond and the other species should be there as well, unless there was a fish kill sometime you are not aware of.
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 61
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 61 |
I'll edit location soon. It was that way for a reason. Upon which, I believe has passed. Don't worry brah, a couple of us are in the witness protection program as well.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
The otters are a definite problem. Much more than muskrats. I have to agree with Bill about the shad. Otters aren't selective predators.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
Here are is a link to the pictures I said I'd provide. http://imgur.com/a/SWAir& http://imgur.com/a/gYbkW
Last edited by For the Family; 12/09/15 07:48 AM.
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
FWIW I do not see any sign of fresh muskrat activity. The damage looks like burrowing crawfish damage to me.
Look familiar?
https://www.google.com/search?q=burrowing+crawfish+damage&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&imgil=1OEQPL1A1RStiM%253A%253BjUoh4bAE5iD7jM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ces.ncsu.edu%25252Fdepts%25252Fent%25252Fnotes%25252FO%25252526T%25252Flawn%25252Fnote126%25252Fnote126.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=1OEQPL1A1RStiM%253A%252CjUoh4bAE5iD7jM%252C_&usg=__OI1LSF7NQf1vuI4wXssMRiRc2Eo%3D&ved=0ahUKEwiL4dC67s7JAhUKPiYKHaOkCsgQyjcIMg&ei=xCloVovvJIr8mAGjyarADA#imgrc=1OEQPL1A1RStiM%3A&usg=__OI1LSF7NQf1vuI4wXssMRiRc2Eo%3D
Last edited by Bill D.; 12/09/15 08:30 AM.
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
Yes, but am being told that there are muskrat droppings, and 75% of the holes dont have chimnies. Is that odd? I do see them, but I am being told that they will occupy old muskrat holes. Im going to fix the dam this summer, but dont want a repeat of crawfish drilling holes in my new dam.
Any suggestions given that they are crawfish?
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2 |
pour something in each hole to kill them?
Can you dig one of those crayfish as to ID them. It sure did not look to be a rusty, curious what species they might be.
Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
What a lovely place you have there.
Muskrat don't set up where there is not easy access to good food. Apple trees, cat tails, and lots of good roots to eat under the ice. They need to breath air so their paths are not very deep in the shore edge 3 feet max. It will look like a cow path. If you have a number of them you will see them early morning. Only dive under if they are spooked or need to duck under a stick.
Those holes are not muskrat. It is rare for them to have another hole out on top of the bank.
Cheers Don.
EDIT: forgot to add that if their is abundant food you will have a hard time catching your fish.
Last edited by DonoBBD; 12/09/15 09:59 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
|
Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
Setup 1 or 2 game cameras on that shore line. Pound a stick in the ground put camera about 2feet up off of stick. If there is anything in there like muskrat or beavers or otters it will show it. Might even catch one of those crawdads coming out of their holes if that's what that is?? Game cameras they tell a lot!!
RC
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
..... 75% of the holes dont have chimnies. Is that odd? ..... Looking at the last few photos in that second link, to me, it looks like chimneys were probably there when the burrows were new and just got knocked down, possibly by rain. FWIW I have never seen a muskrat burrow that looks anything like that.
Last edited by Bill D.; 12/09/15 05:10 PM. Reason: Clarification
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126
|
OP
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 126 |
Any one have any experience at getting a handle on such bad infestation of crawfish then? I doubt muskrat traps are going to get rid of my problem then.
God has blessed us with this day, what we do with it is up to us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Any one have any experience at getting a handle on such bad infestation of crawfish then? I doubt muskrat traps are going to get rid of my problem then. A teaspoon or 2 of granular Boric Acid down the dirt chimney will get rid of a lot...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,541 Likes: 845 |
I don't see much muskrat activity either. The round holes with your foot in the pic are crawfish holes. Bacon on a string, feel them grab it, slowly pull them out. Like Rex said, boric acid, import a couple families of raccoons, put out minnow traps baited with liver (in the water).
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
Any one have any experience at getting a handle on such bad infestation of crawfish then? I doubt muskrat traps are going to get rid of my problem then. A teaspoon or 2 of granular Boric Acid down the dirt chimney will get rid of a lot... Nice, never heard of that. Would it be best to ID the crayfish first? I mean maybe they are good ones? They really seem to be BIG ones WOW!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Any one have any experience at getting a handle on such bad infestation of crawfish then? I doubt muskrat traps are going to get rid of my problem then. A teaspoon or 2 of granular Boric Acid down the dirt chimney will get rid of a lot... Nice, never heard of that. Would it be best to ID the crayfish first? I mean maybe they are good ones? They really seem to be BIG ones WOW! If they burrow, they are BAD!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
I'm wondering about the otters. If they stayed until they were ready to move on, I'd be surprised if you really have many fish left. The crawfish and other critters may have cleaned up the remains. Otters were nearly wiped out in this country at one time, then they were protected and reintroduced in some areas, and now they are a problem again. Otterhounds were used to control them in England, but then hunting with hounds was banned. One result of that is that otterhounds, which were already rare, are now almost extinct. There are fewer than 1,000 in the world, and the breed has inherited health problems because of their few numbers and inbreeding. I've followed the breed for years, although I've never even seen one, and the only breeders or owners I know of are show dog people. None hunt. I think it's a shame. Otterhounds have a job to do, in this country at least, but they aren't being used to do it, and their numbers dwindle.
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|