Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Muskrat friend or foe?

My outlook: The only thing I want in my ponds is the things I stock. I tolerate turtles and an occasional snake. However, I know of no mammal or bird that is in my best interest. Since I'm the top of the food chain and pay all of the bills, I get the only vote.

Both "guests" and I are only doing what nature intended; maximizing our own well being.

Muskrat and dams are a bad mix, permanent riprap or a wire netting in the first two-three feet will keep them away.

Here's more:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/pubs/fs_div/fctsht27.htm

Here's what you do to locate the den, actually a couple ways but from a boat you will see where the fresh soil has been pulled from the burrow and will settle out after a couple days, if new the water will be cloudy in the area, and the weeds will be less dense in the area. Also you will see little padded down areas where they will drag their food out to eat, the remains from the plants will be left floating for a couple days, poop will be present and looks like big mouse turds, this is a good place for a foothold but catching non target animals could be a problem, it's tougher to release a coon or mink. Walk the shore and look for multiple holes and stomp all but one shut, set the connibear and step back. I've taken a few steps away and caught them in less than a minute on a couple of occassions. It might not happen that fast but for sure if it's an active den it will be within 24 hrs.

Let us know and we'll help you get him, I think he should be removed as well. I've seen a few ponds destroyed by them.

Good luck!
FH