trapping minnows

[nicolejon1993]

Anyone have some suggestions for trapping minnows? I have a lake cabin up north with several creeks and ponds to work with. I have a small minnow trap that we usually put in a creek, and also a large one ( 2' x 2'x 3' ). What is the best food to attract them? Is it possible to get leeches this way, also? Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks

[muskymaster]

I've never really done much trapping, but talking to some of the bait guys that come to the store, some of them will use dog food for traping minnows. Sounds like the spot tailed shiners are running right about now. For leeches, i've seen them tie a rope to a coffee can, then put some liver or pork hocks, something like that in them. Then they will crunch the can over the bait with two small openings and throw it out, marking it with a tiny float of some sort. I guess the lakes that are best for trapping are the ones that don't have any fish in them, which makes sense, because it's there main predator. Just some ideas, hope it may help a little.

Musky master

[Guest]

we always used a piece of bread crust. It doesn't take long to get them in there. I have a honey hole creek where I get rainbow chubs up to 5+ inches!!!! The bread works every time, giving me up to 200 minnows a shot, with the same size trap that you have.

[woodyjdh]

I have trapped minnows since I was a kid. I always used the butt-end of a loaf of bread. Nobody here eats it anyhow. I usually set the trap out in the evening and check on it daily. There is some laws in Mn for minnows, not sure exactly what they are. As far as trap size...there also is a maximum size one can have before you need a license to trap. Just a heads up!

[nicolejon1993]

thanks for the info guys!!! I have tried a couple different areas with some bread, and also with a small container of oatmeal inside the trap. sometimes I get nice chubs, other times just them darn sticklebacks!!

[FishinMaverick]

hey nicolejon just do what i do, and buy the darn things. Or maybe your little guy could leave the trap in the water for more than ten minutes. (yes that was out loud) P.S. we'll be thinking of ya when we are butt deep in walleyes out in S. Dakota

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no-no boys there's two O's in goose!

[simplefish]

I trap quite often. I use one of those barrel type ones you can get anywhere, with the wholes at eithet end. I throw a piece of bread in there or some crackers and get enough for a days fishing after one night. For leaches I used to use a burlap bag with chicken livers, hamburger (uncooked), or all the little giblets from the inside of a turkey or chicken. Then tie off the end and throw in in. A rocky area with weeds or behind islands with weeds are good spots. The leeches squeeze threw the bag and there you have 'em. For minnows throw the trap in a creek on the edge of a little current or eddy. They congregate there for the increased oxygen. Hope this helps.

[simplefish]

Quick question: I was thinking of trying my hand at using a cast net for minnows. Does anyone know of any laws or anything that I need to be aware of before I go ahead and do it?
Thanks ahead.

[nicolejon1993]

Simple, that was going to be my next question.... What is the best type of creek/river? Deep or shallow, fast current or slow, weedy or not? .... thanks for the ideas.... Maverick, WHERE are you planning on storing those walleye's from SD?!?!?! As far as BUYING them minnows.... maybe the traps might produce something bigger than a crappie minnow that's a little bloated!! No wonder the walleyes weren't biting!! LMAO!!!

[fiskyknut]

FYI....Maximum size for non commercial minnow traps in Mn. is 30 inches long, 30 inches wide and 15 inches tall. 1.5 inch opening diameter or width.

fiskyknut