Brettski, I've tried so many different things. What I've found that works the very best is a pile of rocks or concrete blocks. I decided where I wanted them to be to provide the best viewing. Then I added concrete blocks to make an area about 20 ft. wide that goes from a foot above the high water mark to 4 ft. below the high water mark. This provides a good sunning area no matter what the water level. This is for painted turtles and I would assume sliders also.

Ohio Scott, I bought these from a turtle dealer at Spirit Lake, Iowa. He buys thousands of turtles and has 6 people buchering full time during the warm season. The market for turtles amoung Asian populations is huge. You might get either spiny or smooth softshells in Ohio.

I'm not sure about controlling muskrats. I trap them and also shoot them with a 22. For me, I want a few but too many are too many.

Would there be a plastic cover that would work as well as chain link but be cheaper? Anyone?

Norm Kopecky