This post was posted twice which seems common on this site and there are a lot of replies on the other posting if you are interested. I don't mind the animals themselves either but the banks collapse in when we mow the grass around the pond. I am planning on using apples for bait as soon as the ice goes out. I would shoot them if I could see them. Only once I have seem one in the daylight. No need to worry if it is legal to shoot them or not. In wisconsin it is illegal for me to fish in the pond that I paid to build, paid to maintain, and actually paid for the fish at stocking, unless I buy a fishing license. Might as well require anyone going out for Friday night perch to buy a license. They have less invested than I do. I am on my property which I paid for dearly and will harvest Muskrats as I see fit. Thanks for the advice.