Guys, how long do you guys usually make your
Mink boxes?
I had an idea to make some from old pallets, just trying to get some use out of them because I can get them for free.but trying to pull the boards off in one piece doesn’t work to well,, they split pretty quickly… so I cut as closely as I could to the frame and got some good lengths of 15 inches,,, but they seem a little small… I know that a marauding coon can easily steal the bait with a short box,, but they’ll pull out of a 110 duke pretty easily and not trash the box is what I’m thinking..
What’s your minimum preferred length?

I am not a baited mink box fan. I have used some and feel one with both ends open is better then one open. I like a box that is along a cut bank and dirt pulled over it with both ends open.

I messed with some boxes years ago and think mine were about 17 inches. I quit messing with them when I realized there are much easier, faster and effective mink sets.

I don’t think 15” will be an issue. An open ( screened) back is an important component. In my experience they aren’t very effective until the water is frozen giving them less opportunity to hunt. I would suggest the 120 as a better alternative to the 110. Both in power and benefit of stability using both springs in a slot.

Exactly why I’m constructing some boxes,, I absolutely prefer pockets and blind sets,,, but last winter , like A lot of folks,had me locked out with the ice issues.
Needing to diversify.

Makes sense.

What do you set for the mink that doesn't go under the bridge to get caught in a bottom edge set and is going up and crossing the road near one of the ends of guard rail? Almost need to come up with a pocket set under the asphalt right there on both sides on both ends. What's the best solution?

They won't go in them to start with, so I don't think length is an issue. Leave both ends open and put a trap in each end.
Get rid of the trigger wires and replace them with pans. You don't what anything in that mink's face. And do like MJM stated about placing the box alongside a cut bank.

I think by doing these things your odds on catching any mink will improve.

14 inch box,screen in back dry grass in box use foothold trap to drown before freeze up then a 120 after freeze up wax the 120.Blend box.Place box in a dry location so it doesnt rot over the years.
You can make a blind set or two in vicinity of the box-gang setting allows for extended check times at good locations.

Hey Boco, you ever trap mink in WI?
I trapped marten and mink in Canada and that set up works great. But the mink in the lower 48 just don't want to enter a baited box.
We even had mink climb the tree and get in our marten boxes. I can just about guarantee you that won't happen down here.

Not everybody traps in wisconsin-might be good info for other canucks on here.
The OP asked about mink boxes.not if they work in wisconsin or not.
I'll see if I can find a pic of one of my boxes that has produced dozens of mink over the years and produces several mink every year guaranteed.

Set out a hundred boxes in Wisconsin or Midwest farming country and leave them for a month say in November you might catch ten mink. The serious mink guys I’ve known will tell you boxes here are strictly for recreation and not for putting up any type of numbers.

They work good if you know how and where to set them.(well blended in a proven location)
I dont know anybody that only goes after one species of fur at a time,not very efficient going over the same ground over and over again for different species at different times.Except maybe for spring beaver when other seasons are closed.
I know one fella that targets mink with boxes while trapping beaver in the fall,he picks up about 60 a week for a couple weeks in boxes,I doubt he has more than a hundred boxes out.Same spots every year on his line.From what I understand his boxes are at old culverts on logging roads and bodygrip with pan trigger.
I run about 20 boxes on my fall beaver lines,but dont set them all up every year.The good thing about mink is once you have a good location that produces that spot produces every year thereafter,similar to a good otter location.
In years when mink are plentiful and I set up all 20 boxes for a couple or three weeks I will get 30-40 mink.
Most years I will run a few mink boxes that are convenient and pick up 15-20 mink.
They pay good like now with a70cad avg but not an important furbearer here compared to marten lynx etc.
But I wont pass them by when trapping other fur since there is nothing to tossing some grouse scraps in an established box and placing a trap.
Another big bonus here to mink boxes is that they take a variety of other valuable fur also.I catch rats fox skunk weasels fisher marten otter and even the odd lynx in mink boxes.
A well baited mink box also provides an opportunity to hang a couple snares to nab circling fox and cats,especially when the box is set at a dam where fox and cats cross naturally before the hard freeze.
I got scads of pics of all kinds of fur caught in mink boxes.

No Boco It's a difference in mink or a difference in the food source. Lower 48 mink don't act like Canadian mink.
Boco you need to bring 40 traps and 40 boxes and come down to the lower 48 and trap mink. You don't need a license all you need to do is point and have someone else set the trap.

Boco just can't think out of the Canadian bush. The OP lives In Illinois he wants to know what works for him. But we thank you for your input.

Mink is mink,I doubt they eat corn down your way.
You probably only learned how to trap from fur fish and game or something,lol.

Or associations with trappers like Gerald Schmitt, Bud Hall and a number of tremendous mink trappers most haven’t heard of. Midwinter, small multi species lines and yes different regions of the continent they may be a better choice. I’ve been told by southern mink trappers they prefer blind sets and pockets don’t work well down there. Suggesting methods must be done with a degree of humility. LOL

Small lines? lol.
I trap 4 lines smallest one is 300 sq km.
Mink is an ancillary furbearer but profitable to harvest when managing the main furbearers because they are so plentiful some years and easy to catch.
Catching mink aint rocket science.They will just never be a species at the top of a trappers target list here.
If I only had a choice between coon and mink I would target mink considering the price of each.
Be good if the price of coon came back up for you guys,

That right there is exactly how you go from 40 to 50 mink. By catching 10 more !

I catch them in boxes here, especially after deep freeze in. While not a super high catch rate every year. They keep me trapping and put fur in the shed. It also let's me observe more mink behavior which is always a joy in my book.
Ill have to take a pick and measure my boxes. I have one end open for coni and the other end all wire mesh. I also use the same boxes for skunk