Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Trespassing River Otter

Should I be concerned? I have notice piles of fish scales on the bank for several years. I thought I had a beaver but I never saw trees eaten. It's a river otter alright and he's not paying any rent. Should I evict him? If so by what means?

It depends on how big your pond(s)is/are and how much you can afford to share. If you were in the business of raising fish like I am he would have to go. I don't know about your state but they are protected in my state. Maybe live trap and relocate or simply trap? If you don't know anything about trapping you may be able to get someone to do it for you. Be aware also trapping season may play a part in this and you may be able to get some kind of nusiance permit if it's out of season and you are allowed to trap.

Cute animal but get rid of him if you want fish. They can really do some damage. NC released them back into streams a few years ago. The trout producers in western NC have had trouble ever since. I'm a nuisance trapper in GA so I can trap them year around. I actually get good money for the pelt as well. I would talk to NC DNR and see if there is a nusiance trapper that you could hire. Of course you could evict him in some other manner as well, 'nuff said.

Releasing Otters back into streams is the equivalent of protecting Comorants as endangered birds, it's a license to take $1000's out of the landowners pocket. I hope you have the legal right to protect your fish, and I hope Texans blow every last comorant out of the sky with their $12 permits. It was a better place before thousands of the "protected" birds started destroying ponds one by one.

Otters & comorants have plenty of Federally protected areas to enjoy themselves. If the Gov't wants to pay me for my lost fish, they will be welcome. .22 Mag. until that check arrives.

My DNR is all giddy about reintroducing Ospreys (Fish Eagles) about three miles from me as the crow flys. It may be just a matter of time before I have problems. Fortunately my ponds are small enough to erect guide wires across them but I hope it doesn't come to that.

Hey Cecil, down South we say "Gitter Dun". If youre in an area where a .22 mag doesn't fit, stock alligators.

Ted,
The otter will try to eat every fish in your pond and will eventually succeed even if he has to multiply to do it.
If you're in eastern NC there is already an otter season. There will be one in Western next year.
My son traps them if you're close by (Surry Co.) if not get in touch with your local game warden. He is the best source for a reliable trapper.
Trapping season is in for about another week but you can get a depredation permit.

I prefer to exhaust other means first. Besides considering I run a business here if I was caught doing something like that I would at least be out of a lot of money are looking at jail time. Not worth it. I think I'm smarter than the birds and can figure something out.

I've been pretty successful at keeping the herons out of the pond banks with stakes and heavy braided line. Just have to figure out how to keep them off the pier. If I can't I'll apply for a permit to take out one or two herons a year.

Cecil, As I have said before, "Differences of opinion is why we have horse races".

I too have developed an otter problem. Doesn't live in my pond, just comes in to snack. So far I can account for 6 LMB's over 7 lbs killed in the last week alone. Who knows how many more he's killed I haven't found. It wouldn't be so bad if they were eating the fish, but most seem to have just been killed for the sport. Must be smart little buggers because they trip my traps daily. Any ideas on how to run them off?

i was very interested when you said the otter killed 6 LMB over 7 lbs in a week. one of my ponds is 1 1/2 acres and year before last i know that one otter killed at least 3 LMB that large in a week. how big is the pond he killed 6 in?

Here in east cental Iowa I have seen "introduced" river otter demolish trout streams and ponds. I have seen them go right by smaller fish and deliberately harass larger fish just to prove they can kill them. They will usually play them to death, grab em, bring em' on the bank, take a bite out of em' and go back in the water and do it all over again. They are lethal until they get bored, then they will move on. If you got em', you are in trouble until they move on or you kill them.

My pond that the otters are plundering is 1/4 acre. Found 2 more fish today, a 3 lb channel and rahter large grass carp. Either I have several otters or one very busy one.

Ted,

I think everyone with a pond or lake should have a rifle, shotgun, and a bever / otter trap on hand and ready to go. I got my trap from www.snareshop.com

The River Otter problem is solved. I caught him and trained him to eat only crappie and to chase off geese. Our new arrangement is working quite well. I think I will start training river otters full time and offer trained river otters for sale in POND BOSS MAGAZINE.

Ted, that is one of the biggest BS stories I've ever heard. Wanna move to Texas where you can get some real competition? BTW, stay away from Louisiana. Thats where Dudley hangs out. He'll make you go back to your day job.