For those of you that were forced to switch did you notice a difference in your catch? Right now I'm running 220's and was thinking about getting more. Just thinking about getting 5x5 instead. Going to get my chance at state hopping in a few years, upper Michigan to be exact. From what I've read on there regs not allowed to use 220 in trails, but can use 5x5 from my understanding, I could be wrong? Any help from current u.p. trappers would be helpful.

There is a notable catch rate in #220s vs 160s. Going to be a huge difference in the 5x5s. Of course we have big coon up here so maybe abit better where you're at.

Of course some will say 160s do the same as the 220s. I've been using them side by side for years and that's a big fat False. Big coon will do about anything to not stick their heads in a 160s I've found...unfortunately.

Spot on Calvin.
Sure you can catch coon In 160s but a 220 Is a way better choice if you can use them. The 155s make great rat traps but I guess I would go to using DPs and foot holds If the 155 was all I could use for coon.

Biggest thing with the 5x5's is to find the spots that really narrow a coon down. Heavy grass trails are what I look to find. Of course some coon will barrel right through a 5x5 in an open trail but not all will.

The other trick Is to keep them at least 5" off the ground and fill In the void under the trap.

Here in Ohio the 5" are the largest we can use on land. Fine by me as I use them for dry mink trails but when set for mink I rarely get coon but they knock them over more than I like.
Unless you're using a bucket set, I would rather cable or foothold .

160's are the biggest we can set on land in Michigan also. We can use 220's on land but they have to be in a recessed box (not sure of the exact dimensions) or at least 4' off the ground. I don't mess with them due to the restrictions.
I will say though, I don't have any problems using 160's. Yes, I think 220's would be better in some spots, but I can still get it done with a 160. I guess you're just forced to figure it out with a 160 when it is your only option.

Build you some 5x7s

Pretty sure 160's are only legal on public land if you are blind setting them. Don't think you can use bait/baited boxes with 160s.

When i lived in mo i learned how to effectively kill coon in 5x5s in trails. Not hard to do...i would use a 220 if i could but in some tight places the 5x5 works flawlessly...make the trigger a lil nub

Rusty Axe- you very well could be right. I don't use baited boxes at all, I only blind set their trails. And I RARELY/ almost never trap public land. I stick to the water on public.

You can use 160s in baited box sets just have to makes sure your boxes are the right dimensions and that your trap is far enough back in the box I'm not sure the exact measurements though it's in the rule book

A few years ago I caught 133 coon in 5x7's using buckets but also a few more in trails or in culverts. Yes, I'm sure a 160 or 220 is better but don't let everyone discourage you by saying it can't be done or it is difficult. Obviously in Ohio, we are limited to a maximum 5in height on dry ground. Experiment with different methods and find out what works for you. That's what I did.

I’ll assume you meant 5x5 instead of 5x7. Either way, coon body sizes may be impacting which trap to use also. I’ve seen plenty of people talking about average coon sizes being around 12 pounds. Compare that to average body sizes of 5 pounds heavier in the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Minnesota and much of Iowa and you can see the dilemma many people face.

5x7's are a thing in Ohio. A guy here used ti make em, and some have modiified 5x5s to turn them into 5x7's as our rules govern only the spread from top jaw to bottom jaw when set. They work very nicely on coons.

Thanks Sniper. I learned something useful today