Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations turtles, muskrats and chain link fence

I think I would rather have an anti-muskrat fence than I would turtles. I'm neutral on turtles. They are the buzzards of the pond, eat mostly vegetation, and provide somewhat of a service. They eat a little bit of feed and occasionally try to rob bait but aren't much of a problem. When I think I have too many, they become target practice. I once cleaned one of my catfish and found a half dollar sized one in its stomach. I expect digestation would have taken a while.

Scott, I don't believe I have ever seen a water hole without turtles. I once found them in an Arizona desert pond many miles from the closest other water. How do they know where they are going? They tend to migrate from pond to pond and just stocking them wouldn't assure that you would keep them. I see them crossing the roads in my area and didn't know anyone, other than aquarium stores, even stocked and sold them. If you want to try, build or buy a turtle trap and check it often enough to keep them from drowning. Creeks, neighbors ponds and lakes should get some for you.