Otters

[Walter Crapp]

What effect do otters have on fish populations.  I know they will clean out a pond in a matter of weeks.  I have spotted 5 different gangs of otters within in a mile of each other in Son's Creek within the last few weeks.  I seem to recall a conversation about trapping on this forum a few years ago.  Does anyone still trap them?  I will be out of pocket for the next 3 weeks, but would be happy to share the locations if anyone is interested.  One gang had at least 15 otters in it.  Coincidentally, I haven't caught a fish in that cove since spring.  Not sure if the otters have any bearing on that or not.

[Walcrabass]

Walter,

 

  If you look in the Dictionary under "Otters" you will see a picture of an Otter with a Bass or Walleye in it's mouth. The description will say

 " Fish Eating Machine"

Enough said....................  Kind of like turning Wolves loose on the Cattle Ranchers, Same effect.

Walcrabass

[straw hat]

Just wanted to throw this in the mix. Prime otter pelts have been selling at around $30 each until about a year ago, They are now estimated to bring around $13 a pelt this winter. Popularity has declined.

[Flysmallie]

I'm surprised that fish didn't go extinct before man came along to control the otter population. 

[fishinwrench]

17 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

I'm surprised that fish didn't go extinct before man came along to control the otter population. 

No kidding.  I think otters are taking the blame unjustifiably.   I see 100x more Herons/cranes than I do otters, and 50x more snapping turtles and water snakes, but nobody ever mentions them having an effect on smaller body's of water.  It's always "the darn otters" of which we seldom if ever see.  

[Kramr]

http://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/outdoors/2015/06/10/otters-may-cute-playful-pose-threat-fishing/28765869/

[Walcrabass]

Fishin Wrench,

  I have the same outlook for the other critters you mentioned as I do the Otters where fish are concerned.

 

Walcrabass

[Walcrabass]

Kramr,

 Nice article. Proves my point. Thank you very much.

Walcrabass

[Flysmallie]

A farm pond is not a large reservoir. 

[Walcrabass]

Flysmallie,

No a Farm Pond is not a Large Reservoir. However, a Reservoir IS a large Pond. I guess I am just tired of the Tree Huggers and the Sight See-ers

thinking "Nature will take of itself" where it diminishes my fishing opportunities and the property ( yes stocked fish are property, expensive property ) of others. I cannot stand to see Cattle Ranchers losing livestock to Wolves that were planted or Land owners losing their fish to an Animal that was released upon them. Believe me if there were a critter that was stocked into our environment that was able to consume the dollar bills in our wallets and we were not allowed to eradicate it there would be a huge outcry for their extinction. ( Please don't anybody mention Politicians since I used wallets, dollar bills, and nothing we could do about it. )

Walcrabass