Hi Folks,

I recently purchased a property that has a pond and a shed. In the shed, I found the trap in the pictures. I'm guessing its for minnows or crawdads or the like.

Can you tell what I have here and if it offers me any value while I try to figure out what I have in the pond tis first year? I have no idea of what I'm starting with.

Thanks,

LB

If you bait it (try bread, fish food, and who knows what other suggestions you may get here) and check it regularly (at least daily) it can give you good info on what small fish - not just minnows, but fingerlings of assorted species) are in your pond. Even if you kow the pond has a certain species of game fish, proof that that are successfully spawning is nice to have.

I have one that I have used to catch and then transfer hundreds of bullfrog tadpoles from one pond to another. (It's mesh looks to be a little finer than yours.)

What is the mesh size of that trap. I don't recognize that trap as a common fish or crayfish trap. If you want to buy a good starter fish trap get a Gee Minnow trap. If new,,,, paint it dark colors to match underwater stuff like logs or boulders. I paint mine mostly black, brown and dark green. Small fish are more hesitant to enter a shiny trap. Stay away from the rubber or plastic coated wire trap. They are durable but do not have as high of catch rates. The Gee traps catch about all types of small fish except LMbass who avoid entering about all types of traps. The trap funnel opening can be enlarged or reshaped to catch larger fish. Build a big version of the Gee trap or a box shape trap for catching and sampling large fish; again catching about all fishes but LMB.
Link to a homemade large trap
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=21794&page=2

Highflyer's large trap
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showgallery&Number=279553&page=1

The mesh size is at 3/8" square. This trap does not seem very practical but it was made for some reason.

I guess I bait it and see what I come up with. Thank you for the feedback.

Because the mesh is 3/8" and the handle is probably on top when the trap is set, I think it could catch crayfish. Set trap with the handle on top and the wide square base against the pond bottom. For crayfish it could be baited with meat scraps, fish parts or large pieces of dog food. If you want to catch crayfish try setting the trap in a relatively deep drainage ditch or small creek; rocky bottom is preferred.

Throw a hand full of sunflower seeds in there and leave it in the shed.
Won't be long before you have a few little critters that'll let you know what it's good for.