Hi Guys, new to the forum!
Looking forward to meeting new people and learning lots!

What are your thoughts on placing colony traps under the ice for Rats. I normally am successful in the fall but never thought of trying it in the winter. I live in northern Ontario, Canada. So lots of snow and ice, and nearly impossible to find push ups and huts.

The idea is placing them in small creeks near culverts, however im not sure they travel far like they do in the spring or fall.

Am I waisting my time?

Welcome aboard.

Well In my opinion If you have to chop ice It's not worth the time. Now If you have open water go for It.

Thanks,
Some of the creeks have flowing water so the ice is fairly thin. just wasn't sure if rats travel much in the winter under the ice.

Sometimes they use open water spots to get air and get out in the sun in warm days. Beaver too.

They are going to be limited on travel just due to the ice, but open water is a magnet to a winter (iced up) rat. I'd set your colonies near that open water against some bottom edges. Good Luck.

that's good advice as long as you don't have to much current. The problem with culverts Is that the stream Is narrowed down as It flows through the culvert and that creates a pretty strong current.
Less flow and you may be good to go. Do these streams produce rats In Ice free conditions?

Thanks guys, Ill give it a go today and let you know if i get any

I set one today and it did have a little current. The door of the colony trap was 1/4 ways open due to current, I set it just cause I was curious to see if I would get some.

Other question I had was, I recently made a colony trap with 2 inch by 4 inch mesh. Was looking at it after and couldn't help but wonder if rats can squeeze thru the mesh?

2x4 mesh is to big and yes some will squeeze through, probably most

I'm betting all your rats will escape that size wire.

Did you set above the tube or below It? There will be times when you get a few rats In the trap and the current will wash It down Into the tube. And then you will have to do some fishing to get It back.
Some times It's better to set down stream. Or shove a stake through the trap if your setting on the upper side.

Ill make another trap of 1x1 mesh and set it downstream from the culvert see if that works.

Good method to collect a few winter mink for me as well. They are drawn to the open fast water areas. Mink, like otters, travel great distances under the ice . 1x2 mesh is what I use. MY square swing door colonies all have attached 12" wire wings on one end that can be placed at 45's(our regs allow this) to increase opening size X3(held folded back with 1/2" binder clips when not in use. When placing colony in travel corridors like you are describing I attach a second set of wings to other end with small zip ties. Don't need multiple colonies to cover wider areas

I like that idea!

One tip I have is if the temps arent super cold, you can chop a hole and cover your hole in the ice with cattails and just remove them to check your traps. I have had success with colony traps under ice but those were narrow travel ways in cattails from dens to feed. I enjoy trapping rats regaurdless of price and weather so cleaning out a little bit of ice doesnt bother me too much.