Otter sets

[Flight01]

What are you guys setting for otter?
Favourite sets and favourite traps?

[Desert Eagle]

We don't have a ton of otter on the line, but so far my luck has been in blind sets. I actually had 2 of them go through a 330 without setting it off. Then the one set off the 280 a bit further down the trail. They are amazingly "slippery" to get through that 330 without setting it off, there wasn't much room to get through that trigger.

All my body grip traps are belisles. I like the spring locks best on them.

[The Spruce]

I don't recommend a 330 for otter, they are too fast. They can work okay if you "T" the trigger and set the trap on a trail they use in the snow. Trigger needs to be under the snow. 330's are horrible for otter in open water as well.

220 is the ultimate otter trap, as it generally gets really good neck strikes. I like to use them in pinches, holes in ice, or moderately fenced trails.

280's are also adequate for otter, but will catch somewhere in between the 2. Generally otters will be suitcased in a 280. That being said, I use mostly 280's to trap them do to size of opening.

I catch most of my Otter when I find spots they are working on a creek or river. Always on blind sets. Set pinches, trails, ice openings, dam crossings (not very high % in winter though, unless very pronounced). You can make pinches in creeks in the fall with dry sticks (leave and mark trap openings), and set them under the ice in the winter. These sets will hammer Otter (and the odd beaver). Take minutes to do in the fall, hours to do in the winter.

In my experience baiting otters is a waste of time. If you make pail or pocket sets, you will end up with the odd fox, mink, fisher etc, but never Otter.

Otter take little time trap, but a lot of patience, and lots of years to learn where they will likely travel.

Spruce

[Flight01]

Still some water openings so I will set where the had been using in November and play the waiting game. I’ve seen a few crossings and a few very tight creeks they slide along once or twice a month they come back around
I have some 220’s and some 280’s. Two of my 280’s are white for Just such an occasion where the little creek gets tight I will blind set the white 280’s
I will put 220’s at the open water ...

Anyone have a bait or lure that works for otter? Most of what I hear is while you might try you are likely to get incidental catches not the targeted otter

Thanks

[6.5swedeforelk]

Originally Posted by Flight01

What are you guys setting for otter?
Favourite sets and favourite traps?

Flight, the problem often is catching too many & depleting them from your line.

You could take advantage of the bits of open water,
especially on the hi side of a dam.

Few evenings ago, I set a 220 solidly staked in 2ft of water.
It was too dark for pics.

Next morning (you asked about bait?)...

[6.5swedeforelk]

Originally Posted by The Spruce

... If you make pail or pocket sets, you will end up with the odd fox, mink, fisher etc, but never Otter...

Spruce

Far from me to tell you how to trap otter, Spruce.


But try that white pail set vertically-
under the ice in over 4ft of water.

I put a white limestone rock to hold the pail down
and to highlight the large bait fish.

Works like a darn.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by 6.5swedeforelk

Flight, the problem often is catching too many & depleting them from your line.

You could take advantage of the bits of open water,
especially on the hi side of a dam.

Few evenings ago, I set a 220 solidly staked in 2ft of water.
It was too dark for pics.

Next morning (you asked about bait?)...

Depletion isn’t an issue yet. 3 years on this line and haven’t targeted them
Till now. Major river to the south and east. Right now I’m just looking at some Small Creeks.
They do their circuits. Maybe i will get one in a blind setgreat spots I set in. Just need him to cooperate

What’s your bait of choice?

[The Spruce]

Originally Posted by 6.5swedeforelk

Far from me to tell you how to trap otter, Spruce.


But try that white pail set vertically-
under the ice in over 4ft of water.

I put a white limestone rock to hold the pail down
and to highlight the large bait fish.

Works like a darn.

I need to see a picture of this set. Problem for me is that setting a trap in 4' of water during Otter season for me involves cutting through ice. In my experience Otter travelling on land are doing just that, travelling. Otter under water are definitely foraging. I may have a place to try the bucket/bait set, but wouldn't it have to be horizontal so they can get in, and also to see the bait?

Spruce