Trapping Info
This page was last updated: April 5, 2009
For Education ~ Not For Profit
Water Sets & Construction

Before using any sets on this page please check with your local state trapping regulations as some regulations are different and may be against the trapping regulations where you trap.
BIG HOLE SET
(side view)
The Big Hole Set, as it is commonly called, is a great addition to any Raccoon trappers line. What you want to do is to dig out a hole approximately 8-10 inches wide and a minimum of 12 inches deep. While digging out the depth, dig it out at a upward angle so that in order for the animal to see the end he has  to be real close to the bank's edge. This is where your trap should be placed, just an
inch or two of water over the trap is all you need, but deeper water shouldn't harm the set any, as long as the animal can still touch bottom.
BLIND SET
(side view)
The Blind Set is exactly what it's called; a set without baits or lures. This set is a producer that many trappers overlook. In the picture above,  this set will catch many of the water frequenting furbearers. Take note at how the set is constructed. The trap is usually  placed under 1-3 inches of water on the furbearers  natural pathway. Usually along the bank's edge is the most common since mink, raccoons and many others search for minnows, crayfish and salamanders. The stake is placed in the deeper water and driven into the soil underwater.
CHANNEL SET
The Channel Set is another type of blind set which is placed in the animals natural channel usually leading to or from lodges or feeding areas. The Conibear trap is placed directly in the channel so as the animal swims through the channel he goes through the conibear causing the trap to close on him killing him quickly.  With any channel the proper trap size should be used. Sticks and debris can be placed on the sides to make the channel more narrow, to force him through the trap. Also a stick may be placed across the top of the conibear to keep the animal underwater. As he tries to swim under the stick , he is forced to go through the trap. Note how the 2 sticks are stuck through the conibear springs to stabilize the trap from moving.
CULVERT SET
The Culvert Set  as pictured above in Figure 1 can be set up in many different ways. It can be used as a blind set  as the animals enter the culvert to get from one place to another or in conjunction with baits or lures to really entice the animal to enter the culvert. In the picture in Figure 1, the trap is attached to a rock drag. The nice side to this set is the animal will usually go into the culvert and be out of site from thieves. It is advised to use a long type drag on this set so that the animal can not go too far into the culvert.  Larger culverts can be made more narrow with rocks, leaves, sticks and so on to ensure that the animal steps on your trap or enters your conibear as pictured in Figure 2.
Figure 1
Figure 2
DEN SET (side view)
The Den Set  as pictured above can be very simple and a very effective set for beaver and muskrat and a few others who have their den entrance under water. Just place a suitable size conibear at the entrance to the den so that furbearers leaving or entering the den have to go through the trap. Be sure to keep the conibear from moving by using a conibear stabilizer or sticks wedged into the springs.
FEEDBED SET
Many times along the bank of a stream or the shore of a lake the trapper will notice a pile of cut and chewed vegetation floating along the edge. This is a feedbed. Simply place a foothold trap in one inch or less of water along side of the feedbed where the muskrat must approach. Be sure to fasten the trap out in deeper water to ensure a quick drowning.
FLOAT SET
A muskrat float can be made out of most anything providing it floats. A very simple float can be constructed by taking two identical length logs, approximately 4 feet in length, and nailing them side by side with 2 foot long pieces of 2x4s. After the logs are nailed together chop a notch out of the logs for your trap and wire the trap to the float itself.  Also fasten a strong wire to the float itself and onto a tree or rock to prevent it from floating away. To make a float more attractive take a few handfuls of green vegetation and scatter it over the float.
LEANING LOG SET
Many times in his or her travels a trapper will come across a place where a log slants from the bank down into the water. Because Raccoons, Mink and Muskrats will use this log as a ladder to enter and exit the water this is  and excellent set. Chop a notch out of the log for your trap to be bedded in. Make sure your trap sets level and securely in it's notch. You can use mud to stabilize it. If you stand two upright your sticks tight along each side of the trap you will increase your chances of forcing the animal into the trap. As with all sets made near the water, fasten your trap out into deeper water to drown your catch quickly. Or attach the trap chain to a tree limb to serve as a drag as pictured above.
Trap attached to to tree limb to serve as a drag
MOUND SET
(Beaver)
A Mound Set is a very effective beaver taker.  A scent mound is made from mud, leaves and grass. A few drops of a good beaver lure is placed upon the mound. Place a good strong foothold trap with a drowning slide on the chain in several inches of water close to the mound. Since a beaver is a very strong animal and can fight a trap very well you want to drown him as quickly as possible. To do this run a sliding wire, at least 9 gauge wire , or aircraft cable from a stake near the trap out into deeper water where the sliding wire or cable is fastened off to a feed sack of  heavy rocks.
Burlap bag of rocks & mud
Scent Mound
Water line
Trap Stake
Slider
Wire
UNDER ICE POLE SET
(coilspring trap)
The Under Ice Pole Set with a coil spring trap is another good beaver taker in the winter months. To make the set  please follow the instructions above in the photo.
Safety Pole
Ice
Ice
Dead Pole
Green Bait
Nail This one directly underneath for support

Nail These
2 First
Secure Trap on these 2 sticks

UNDER ICE POLE SET
(coilspring trap)
The Under Ice Pole Set with a coil spring trap is another good beaver taker in the winter months. To make the set  please follow the instructions above in the photo.
Ice
Dead Pole
Ice
Secure Pole at This Angle
Mud bottom
Green bait
Wire
Wire
Wire
WALL / BRIDGE SET
The wall or bridge set is made right up against a bridge wall. Most traveling animals including  muskrat and mink will hug the walls when traveling. The trap should be setting in one and a half inches of water at the most. If the water is deeper you can dig out a clod of dirt or find a flat rock upon which to place your trap on to bring it up to the proper depth. The dog of the trap should always be pointing away from the wall toward the center of the stream.
YoungTrappers.com
12266 Puffer Rd
Fife Lake, Mi 49633
231-879-3820