Run / Trail Set
A blind set placed in the narrow, submerged trenches created by the continuous travel of muskrats or mink.
Where to Set
Look for worn channels in the mud or aquatic vegetation in shallow water. These runs often connect feeding areas to deeper water or dens. The water in a fresh run will often look cloudy or have floating clipped vegetation.
How to Build It
- 1Find a distinct, narrow run measuring about 4 to 6 inches wide in shallow water.
- 2If the run is too wide, use sticks or mud to narrow the channel, forcing the animal to the center.
- 3Bed a foothold trap in the center of the run, or position a body-grip trap vertically across the channel.
- 4If using a foothold trap, attach the chain to a one-way slide wire anchored in deep water.
- 5Camouflage the set lightly with wet vegetation if using a foothold, ensuring nothing blocks the trap jaws.
Bait & Lure
No bait or lure needed; capitalizes on habitual movement.
Gear & Traps
110 Body-grip trap, #1 Longspring, or #1.5 Coilspring with a slide wire/drowning rig.
Best Conditions
Ideal in shallow marshes or creeks with distinct vegetation edges and minimal water fluctuation.
Safety & Legal
When using foothold traps, a drowning rig is legally and ethically required in most jurisdictions to ensure a quick, humane dispatch. Keep sets away from public boat launches to avoid non-targets and always attach proper copper ID tags. Check traps every 24 hours as mandated by most state laws.
