There have probably been more traps sold for catching muskrats than for catching any other furbearing species. A number of innovative traps have been constructed for both live trapping and killing muskrats, such as barrel, box, and stovepipe traps.
The most effective and commonly used types of traps for muskrats, however, are the Conibear®-type No. 110 and leghold types such as the long spring No. 1, 1 1/2, or 2 and comparable coil spring traps. Each type has places and situations where one might be more effective than another. The Conibear®-type No. 110 is a preferred choice because it is as effective in 6 inches (15 cm) of water as at any deeper level. It kills the muskrat almost instantly, thus preventing escapes. All that is needed to make this set is a trap stake and trap.
Muskrats are probably the easiest aquatic furbearer to trap. In most cases where the run or burrow entrance is in 2 feet (61 cm) of water or more, even a leghold trap requires only a forked stake to make a drowning set. A trap set in the run, the house, or den entrance, or even under a feeding house, will usually catch a muskrat in one or two nights. As a test of trap efficiency, one author once set 36 Conibear®-type No. 110 traps in a 100-acre (40-ha) rice field and 24 No. 1 1/2 leghold traps in a nearby 60-acre (24 ha) minnow pond on a July day. The next day 55 muskrats were removed. The remaining traps had not been tripped. Obviously, both of these areas held high populations of muskrats, and neither area had been subjected to recent control efforts. Results were 93.3% effectiveness with the Conibear®-type, 87.5% effectiveness with the leghold traps, and 100% catch per traps tripped.
The most effective sets are those placed in “runs” or trails where the muskrat’s hind feet scour out a path into the bottom from repeated trips into and out of the den. These runs or trails can be seen in clear water or can be felt underwater with hands or feet. Which runs are being used and which are alternative entrances can usually be discerned by the compaction of the bottom of the run. Place the trap as close to the den entrance as possible without restricting trap movement.
Other productive sets are pole sets, under-ice sets, and culvert sets. Other traps also can be used effectively in some situations.
The stovepipe trap is very effective in farm ponds, rice fields, and marshes—where it is legal. This type of trap requires more time and effort to set but can be very effective if the correct size is used. The trap is cheap, simple, and easy to make; however, to our knowledge, it is not available commercially. If properly set in a well-used den entrance, it will make multiple catches.
The stovepipe trap has the potential to catch from two to four muskrats on the first night if set in the primary den entrance. The trap is cumbersome to carry around, however, and must be staked down properly and set right up against the den entrance to be most effective. The traps can be easily made from stovepipe, as the name implies, but some of the most effective versions are variations. An example is a sheet metal, 6 x 6-inch (15 x 15-cm) rectangular box, 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) long with heavy-gauge hardware cloth or welded wire doors. The doors are hinged at the top to allow easy entry from either end but no escape out of the box. Death from drowning occurs in a short time. The trap design also allows for multiple catches. Its flat bottom works well on most pond bottoms and in flooded fields or marshes, and it is easy to keep staked down in place. Such a trap can be made in most farm shops in a few minutes. All sets should be checked daily.
Muskrats are considered furbearers by most wildlife management agencies. As such, trapping will in most cases be subject to regulations; be sure to check with your state wildlife agency before you trap. If muskrats are damaging crops or structures, a depredation permit may be issued by your state's agency. Trapping muskrats during the winter furbearer season can be an enjoyable pastime and even profitable where prices for pelts range from $2.00 to $8.00 each. Price differences depend on whether pelts are sold “in the round” or skinned and stretched. Many people supplement their income by trapping, and muskrats are one of the prime targets for most beginners learning to trap. Therefore, unless muskrats are causing serious damage, they should be managed like other wildlife species to provide a sustained annual yield. Unfortunately, when fur prices for muskrats are down to less than $2.00 each, interest in trapping for fur seems to decline. However, in damage situations, it may be feasible to supplement fur prices to keep populations in check.
Resources: (online)
Muskrats
