Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Muskrats

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