Managed to find a marsh with feeder huts, runs withing 50 yds of a good sized stream. This year was especially high water, usually the marsh is empty by this point in the year. Water level is around 24" at edges a bit deeper in spot. Set all the entrances to feeder huts with 110's and large house a few weeks back. Got one small juvenille rat. I was puzzled by the amount of sign and lack of action. Ran sets for a week and a half. Nothing missed, just that one catch. Food still seems plentiful, water is open. How likely is it the rats left the marsh in favor of the creek? Or perhaps they just moved into the deeper water? Thinking I should go back and rescout (it's been a month of so). Just wanted some input from veteran muskrat guys. I'm a bit puzzled by lack of catches at this location. They're not plentiful here so I'm far from an expert. Thanks for any info someone has on this.

I just had a similar thing happen on a pond. Still puzzling me. Several huts and good runs with open water over them (ice was on when I started) Set runs and dive holes and caught nothing, but one in a crossover. I did get a couple yesterday, but nothing near the huts and there is no doubt they are being used. I've trapped many hundreds of muskrats and never remember having this happen. Is is possible someone hit it right before you did? Rats will move at times, but there has to be a reason. Not much help, I know. I would go back and scout again and see if there is more fresh sign.

Unless they jumped the gun they didn't beat me to it. I had 13 sets in on the opening morning. No signs of anyone being there but me the whole time.

I would look for feed beds and toilets. I've trapped public ground before with lots of rat huts and runs in banks. Before deer season started I would set the runs. After I had better luck with feed beds and toilets. If you don't find any I would go up the stream and see what's going on there.

Disease???? like tularemia which is fairly common in heavy rat populations or stagnant ponds.

After having much success with this my self I would recommend you make a pocket set or two with leg holds. I use halseth muskrat lure #1 a sweet almost minty lure that has done very well. Good luck.

baited sets around huts, feed and toilet areas and of course the runs

I never thought of pockets as being for muskrats, more for raccoon and mink. Guess I will try that. Over an inch of rain coming through today. Gonna do a run and gun scout and set over the holiday. Figure after a heavy rain any sign is fresh and most animals move best after it ends. Hoping for a few muskrats floating by sunday morning.