Want to get a otter to two but I want a nice prime one for myself, central MN. When is the best time?

I think the best otters in my area (N Wisconsin) are mid December.

I never target them until after Thanksgiving here.

Thanks guys, these are my backdoor otters so no rush.

Back in the day Goldberg paid just as much (or more) for blue leather otters caught early season. They were straight haired and according to the old man tanned up better than the late ones.

I picked up a small road killed otter a few days ago and just finished putting it up. It's still blue and think I'll wait on putting any sets out for them till after Thanksgiving.

Nov 20th you'll have good fur and white leather,Thanks giving you can't go wrong either...

Smaller (kit) otters almost always take longer to get clear leather.

I agree. I picked a big male and he doesn't look to bad. But later is always better. Some trappers don't have ideal otter ground. So some just have to take them when opportunity is there.

Or when they wander into beaver sets.

well at least they have lined up the seasons to be close together......

If you want to take prime otter under ice,get rid of the beaver first with beaver specific sets.
Then when you set for otter later the beaver wont be plugging your otter set when he comes thru.
Paul Millette wrote extensively on it.

Thanksgiving Day until New Year’s Day will certainly produce a nice Otter.