Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Muskrats

I see in the next issue of Pond Boss the topic of muscrats will be discussed. This is good timing as I shot one yesterday in my new pond. Could you all chime in and tell me how they negatively effect a pond. I assume that they will root into the banks ect. I have a liner in my pond with a foot of topsoil on top of the liner and the sides. Could they get to the liner easily. It was easy to shoot as i just had to wait for it to come up, can i expect many more of these, the pond site is pretty active with fishing and the kids swimming in the summer so hopefully the activity will encourage them to leave?

Do you have, or are you putting in plants?

I have grass seeded and some different plants, tall grasses for shade ect. Right next to my pond is a large irrigation drain with plants of all kinds in it. I feel the reason the muskrat may have come to my pond is due to the extreme drought and lack of water in the ditch.

The muskrat article was in the last issue of Pond Boss; not the next one.

The pond I'm taking care of has had muskrat problems. They can tear up your smooth banks pretty good, and this can lead to lowering the water level of the pond if they dig in the right places. Luckily, although they have dug up the banks on ours, it hasn't caused water loss yet.

Another problem they caused us was chewing threw the windmill aerator's air hose under the water. I've already patched one hole and they've now chewed threw another spot. We've trapped about five or six last year and, judging by the tracks I've seen in the snow, there are at least two others living in it.

You never get over the problem since muskrat young will migrate from other ponds to new homes. Better off keeping at least two traps out all the time to catch the newcomers.

The pondboss article said to simply cave the bank in on top of them when they are burrowed in, causing the water to enter and dirt to suffocate them.

Thanks fella's for the imput! Actually that was the first of probbly many to show up. I'm a waterfowl hunter and it won't bother me to sit and wait by the pond for one to come up. I cannot imagine they can out last me without getting a swim in or some other activity. I was really wondering if they burrough deep into the banks and just leave an airhole for O2. I just talked to a buddy and he said back in the 70's they use to get $3.50 for pelts. They do have nice fur. What do they do as far as damage to water quality and the fish? I have mostly trout in my pond.

Thanks fella's for the imput! Actually that was the first of probbly many to show up. I'm a waterfowl hunter and it won't bother me to sit and wait by the pond for one to come up. I cannot imagine they can out last me without getting a swim in or some other activity. I was really wondering if they burrough deep into the banks and just leave an airhole for O2. I just talked to a buddy and he said back in the 70's they use to get $3.50 for pelts. They do have nice fur. What do they do as far as damage to water quality and the fish? I have mostly trout in my pond.

I have a 50 year old pond that is about 22 feet in the deepest part.

For the various reasons listed elsewhere for doing a winter drawdown I drop my pond about every other year. Sometimes 3 - 4 feet, and on one occasion 8 ft.

Because of scheduling problems I have not done a drawdown for about 3 years. Beginning last summer I started seeing (and killing) muskrats. I am convinced it is because I have neglected to draw down. I umderstand the drawdown discourages rats and encourages them to go elsewhere. I think the logic is that if their dens are established at normal level,and you drop the level it leaves them "high & dry".

Conversely, if they move in during a drawdown they get flooded when the water comes up.

Anyway I plan to do either an immediate drawdown before the spring rains, or for sure do a winter draw next year. In the meantime I'll keep the L. C. Smith 12 gauge handy.

My trapper friends tell me a good muskrat pelt now brings around $12.00.

FB

Bing, I would think that with their dens and entrance holes exposed they would become easy prey for mink. I remember seeing many when I lived down there.