Duke,
According to my trapper friend, the easiest way for a rookie to trap a muskrat is to use a live wire cage trap like "HaveAHart". Use muskrat trap lure.
www.dunnsfishfarm.com sells the lure for $10.50 per ounce. He said you may have mink and there is some good shell fish oil that works well on muskrat, mink, and raccoons available at
www.snareshop.com To determine if you have muskrat, he said that you should look for shallow "caves" or "overhangs" dug in the pond bank where a muskrat will have a temporary retreat and restng place. They may also look like a cliff cut out of the bank. Look for fresh signs and place the trap close by. If you do not catch a rat, keep moving the trap until you find their busy area.
Good luck.
