Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Otters

Hey guys I purchased a 20 acre pond two years ago that has a good trophy largemouth population. The pond is over 40 years old and probabbly has never been managed properly. This spring we are having to do a spillway improvement, and had to erradicate some nuisance beavers that were causing a problem. In the process so far we have trapped four large otters. What do you guys recommend for otter control? Do you call a trapper only when you see them or signs, scat, slides, etc. or do you trap for them annually or on a schedule? Obviously they need to go, but if they haven't been ever controlled in the past, what type of effect do you think they have been having on our fishery?

Otters are really hard on the fishery. They catch a lot of the biggest slowest fish. I'd contact the DWR and see if you can get a depredation permit that allows you to trap them all year round, and see if the beaver can be included.

DD, you're in Texas - the (great) state where "He just needed killing" is a valid defense for a murder charge.

The king owns all the wild animals so you can't interfere with them without his permission. But no he won't fix it if his otters destroy your pond.