I trapped in 6 different swamps here in WI this winter till close. The one with the least amount of rats had those, shrimp. There were quite a few ducks tho. The one with the most rats was full of snails. (Unusual observations)

IMO one can judge the condition of the marsh by the condition of the rats, size and shape. Couple days after break up all bets are off
If I could figure out how they can loose that much weight that fast, I wouldn’t have to trap.

Might have to throw out some rat traps along this creek, less than 24 hours.

That is interesting. Nothing like making a new toilet station that is handy. What is that old saying about a port in a storm.

That is a nice pile of muskrats TYT! Keep after em!

I'm guessing that fella was not well liked in his community.

Well, figured that I finally have some time to spare and I'm not in the fur shed or on the trapline for 12 hours a day. Here's my update since I last posted.

2nd check: 86 rats today and got another 32 floats out today, got a bit of a late start and ran out of daylight to get the last 18 set. Not seeing any small rats, all of them have been pretty big 2x and up.

3rd check: Another 80 rats today out of 131 floats, got another 30 floats set today, and if I end up going out tomorrow, I’ll get the last 20 set. Been getting late starts and not having enough light. Also caught a small northern and a really chunky one today in a colony trap.

4th check: And there it is. My first ever check over 100 rats. Specifically, 105 was not a fun time today at all, and it was very windy. Had to find a lot of floats on the banks and set them up again. I think I have 160 floats out total right now, and I only had to grab 2 and bring them home because they weren’t going to stay put.

5th check: 122 rats and a beaver today. Everything went smoothly, and the weather cooperated. Pulling all of my gear tomorrow since we have 5 days of snow, sleet, rain, and ice coming.

6th check: Another 74 today, and got all of my Floats pulled. Going back out on Sunday, just have to wait for these few days of weather to pass by us.


On the 4th check, I had a brake line blow on my truck as well as getting a flat tire, so that day was pretty eventful. Been catching lots of northerns in the one colony trap, but otherwise they have all been doing well. Almost lost one about 20ft into a culvert, and the wind and waves pushed it in, but I got it back after connecting 5 of my fiberglass poles. Also caught a small 15-20 pound beaver in a couple of floats, so that was a nice surprise. Although the season has been plagued with breakdowns, late starts due to things I can't control, and some unexpected things. I have 530 rats so far, and plan to get back out on Sunday to set again for the final 430. The fur put up has been going well, and so has the carcass processing. I still have about 200 rats to put up and process the carcasses before Sunday, seeing lots of 2x and 1x rats, which is good for me because I have a 4$ basis this year, making a 2x a 4$ rat and a 1x a 3$ rat. I'm hoping to catch enough rats this year to pay for a 12-14 foot flat bottom jon boat for hunting, trapping, and fishing this summer and fall. So if anyone is looking to sell one, please let me know.

What is the reason for stopping at 960?
(530 caught plus "set again for final 430") or was that a typo?

We don't have muskrats down here but we have nutria rats

Also curious about "carcass processing".

Is that part of your $4 basis or is it bringing money in on top of the $4?

Congratulation YT. Great season so far! Your work ethic is spectacular.

How have your baited conibears been working? How are you setting them up? Good job, you've obviously got a lot of rats, but anytime you are hitting triple digits on a check, you are working at it.

That is one heckuva season!

Just awesome.
Bet you can skin a rat fast now

Excellent job, that's a bunch of muskrats.

Saving the glands i hope, and have a buyer lined up.