Michael37090:
I too have experienced an otter invasion. They can definitely have an impact. Beautiful creatures; but more beautiful mounted on the wall than in your pond eating your fish! Not sure if they have any positive benefits.
FWIW: Don't feel so bad about letting vegetation get out of hand. I let it get out of hand around my biggest pond, then saw four different mink when bushhogging it. Kind of made me reconsider if that weed cover around the edges was worth it if it helped protect the mink from hawks / owls so more of them could keep the muskrats under control. I later put a wide strip around it in the CRP program and let it grow up more. When the CRP contract expires, I'm going to clean up around the edges though as willow trees now surround the pond and the water quality isn't as good.
Ranger

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