I am showing 2 photos. Actually they are both of the same area. Photo #1 is the first part and Photo #2 is the continuation. This location at one time was a catch pool for run-off. The square concrete structure was the overflow. This was part of a trout fishing club, then a golf course added and later trout fishing was discontinued and water rerouted and reconfigured.

I have set this over hang numerous times trying to catch mink. I have used #110 and coil springs traps. The only bait I have ever used was mink gland lure or a mink food based lure. Used a toothpick size stick dipped into the lure stuck in the top of the undercut. My luck so far in this location is 3 coon, 2 muskrats and a grinner. No mink.

I was going to make set today but left lure in van and sense I have a hard time climbing the that goes down to the stream, I decided to take the photos and see what are mink experts would suggest. There are not an abundance of mink in the area. Right after I left the stream I met a couple of golfers that said a few days ago they had seen a baby otter about 300 hundred yards downstream. I asked how long it was and they said about a foot long. I told them I was probably a female mink.

In the photos, I have an red arrow pointing to where I was planning on making the set. I would like a little feedback as to what you all think as to location and lure or bait.
You can use the stick that is about at a 40 degree and against the bank … it is in both photos.


Garry-

I trapped spots for years where 90 percent or more of the traffic was on one side of the other, maybe higher percentage really.

I'm not a mink expert, but it sure looks like a spot for a pocket set. Maybe a blind set plus a pocket.

I like where the branch is sticking out of the bank, to the right of your arrow. Looks like a little curve there.

Agree could even narrow it down a bit with rocks.

I agree … right where the stick is where I was thinking of placing a #110. The overhang is about 8" deep. Where ditcdriver the curve was it stops there, but there is a hole that goes back about 6" or more in that wall. I was think about narrowing the area where the trap is going to set.

I was also thinking about going on down the bank to where that dead snag is sticking out and digging a cubby back in the back about a foot and setting a 1.5 coil there. I have several frozen rat carcasses and was thinking about cutting one in half and stuffing it back to the back of the hole.

Do any of you have any suggestions as to what lure or just blind set the #110?

Garry-

I would place a culvert box at location #2 and a bottom edge set at location #1 just under the stick hanging over the concrete structure. No bait or lure, just blind sets. In my experience rats and mink cannot resist investigating the box tunnel.

Dont overlook that tree stump in the middle. And those tiles in pic 1.
I see spots for at least 5 traps

I think its banks are to barren mink need cover from hawks and owls and other critters

It's great seeing how different trappers see a spot.

For me, I'd blind set both ends of the tile, especially the closest end, on that patch of leafs. Maybe a dab of lure up in In under the lip of the tile to get him stomping around some. If also put a couple traps under the overhanging bank.

Set heavy, catch them first time they come through.

I like the overhanging bank in the first picture, I would shave the bank under the overhang to make a nice vertical edge and perhaps place a rock or a log and some leaves to create a tunnel. In picture two I would make a pocket set halfway between the arrow and the overhanging sapling. A vertical edge at the arrow would be good too.

That doesn't look like a good spot for a mink set (big open area with no overhead cover).Are you seeing any tracks/scat anywhere in that big area.
If you see mink tracks set there.If you don't see any mink sign they are likely not using there much if at all.
Check the area 300 yds downstream for a funnel point where the golfers seen the animal.

Went back to location today and set two traps in the area I had indicated, about 30" apart. I followed some of your suggestions; leveled the shelf, scraped a little from vertical wall in a couple of places, blocked part of the length with large flat rocks and heaped the leaves along the outside. The stake on the left (indicated w/ red line) has a #110 trap about 2" to the left of it, blocking the undercut, the one on the right has the #110 trap at an exit point, on an angle. I didn't use any bait or lure, completely blind set.

I think my days a getting numbered for trapping. I got down today and had a really hard time getting up. It wasn't at the point with the sets but another location with a mucky bottom. I was able to get one elbow on the bank and just laid back, relaxed and worked one leg at a time until I could get my feet under me. I wasn't really worried because I had my cell phone where I could get to it, if I needed it. Point to remember... ! keep your phone in a pocket that you can get to it, especially if you wear chest wader like I do.

Here is a photo of the set location... for reference … in photo #2 yesterday, you can see the small white vertical stick to the left of the arrow, not the large angled stick. The white stick is in the photo today at the right hand side.



Garry-

I agree with Snowpa,
Listen to yourself for the answer: "I have set this over hang numerous times trying to catch mink. I have used #110 and coil springs traps. The only bait I have ever used was mink gland lure or a mink food based lure. Used a toothpick size stick dipped into the lure stuck in the top of the undercut. My luck so far in this location is 3 coon, 2 muskrats and a grinner. No mink."
You cannot catch what is not there! Eric

I have caught mink at all my stops, just not every year. Some years I get as high as 4 per stop at a couple, other years none. In Ohio, I would assume they are there. You don't always catch what is there, too, at least I don't (sometimes).

Eric and Snowpa … this is Ohio and some what difference than MN or NJ …. we are in the center of the state with a lot of housing developments etc. Now about 50 yards north of the this place and from whence the water comes is a 2 acer pond … One year I caught 6 mink from that lake. Since the lake is fed from under ground springs, to get to that pond the mink traveled up this stream passing by where I have set my traps. My theory is …. the other animals got caught in the traps before the mink did. So now We will have to wait and see. I am not trying to be argumentative … it somewhat like saying who is the better football team LSU or Alabama ….???

Garry-

If mink are present, I personally like the overhanging bank in the background of the first picture. That is a magnet for mink and muskrats.

I stand by my original statement.

Yep, and just as often they keep their feet dry, as in run the bank which is why I'd have some traps on dry land. The river I trap, I catch considerably more in dry sets than water sets when blind setting.

Garry, just because you caught 6 mink several years ago in the pond just upstream does not mean there are mink there now. Mink populations can be fickle as they are very susceptible to diseases. Here where I am distemper wiped out the mink a couple of years ago and I will be hard pressed to catch 25 on the same line where I usta' snare 150+. Even if a spot looks "minky" you cannot catch what is not there.