Just for reference, jer z, Muskrat and Garry, I trapped muskrats under the ice in Wisconsin marshes for 40 years using an unbaited #110 in active runs staked and stabilized with a 4' piece of plaster lath. My #110's shape in this photo ages me somewhat (as do Garry's old Victor Conibears), but illustrates the idea.



Depending upon the lath width, the trap is stabilized at the desired level with different kinds of "wedging" at the spring's eye ring. The trap is positioned just off the bottom in the middle of the run. In predetermined longer runs found with bubbles in the ice to warrant it, I'd set two #110's in that run 4'-5' apart for doubles.

Muskrat, I recall reading about the set types in that graphic in the 1950's - either in FF&G, or in one of E.J. Dailey's or Stanley Hawbaker's booklets, but never tried it. I have no intentions of using them. Interesting that you and Gander Club have found them as a winter trapping tool.

Jer z, Though I have never baited for muskrats in the methods described, I have used bait for them on occasions at the water's edge of ditch banks with half an apple on a stick above the trap. Those who bait #110 triggers use parsnip, carrot, potato or a small piece/slice of cobbed corn with success. Even heard of one trapper who used only orange peels.

Anyway, I was just curious if anybody used this older under ice technique, and you folks answered that question. Thank you.

Jonathan

Jonathan,

Here in Michigan you can't trap in the huts, so under the ice sets are all we can use. I use the board set on the left, but with dead sticks, and a conibear baited with a piece of potatoe. I set these in line from the hut to the feed beds. Works pretty good.

Also here in Michigan the ice goes on and shortly after you get snow and the location of runs are tough. Plus the ice isn't thick enough till later on. At times using the board(30-45degree angle) on a stick is placed around the hut. Often 2-3 on a large hut. If the trail isn't apparent, I will wrap a piece of tin foil(3-4 inches wide)around the stick going down, just under the trap on the board and near the bottom. You can either staple or roll up the foil and crimp it. The light from the open hole makes the foil shiney and attracts rats over to the setup. I've even had the foil torn off by rats. I saw this trick about 20 years ago. Don't remember where though.

My $.02

I forgot to mention that I use the mini-carrots stuck on a #4 finish nail above the trap. Often a #1-ls trap or some #1 northwood coils.

I have used the coni under ice baited with orange flagging tape and it worked as well.

#1 LS Victors and a carrot.

Gander Club is right on. Most of the guys in the big marshes wait until freezeup to start. Leaning pole set, a variety of bait can be used, catch thousands of rats. Alot of guys like those small short spring, old style No.1 Oneida Victor. All had a hole in the back to put on the nail, and under ice as long as the jaws close tight.........

Before I believed in conibears i used the 1 1/2 LS with a piece of corn wired above it. I used the hole already found on the victor frame and hooked the trap to it by pounding a nail in the tree branch(about 6 inches thick) I was using. Worked great. To be honest, I have turned into such a conibear man that if we have clear ice before snow comes I just look for the bubble trails and make run sets. I try to mark runs before freezup just in case the snow hits first like last year.