Mink

Neogale vison

All species

A relentless little water weasel — pure blind-set trapping along the shoreline.

Typical Size

1.5 – 3 lb

Prime Season

Dec – Jan

Overview

Mink are small, fierce water predators that patrol shorelines hunting muskrats, fish, and crayfish. They rarely respond to bait but travel tight to the bank, making them a classic blind-set and pocket-set target.

Choosing High-Performance Hunting Gear

Identification

1.5-3 lb long, slender weasel body
Rich dark-brown fur with a small white chin patch
Short legs and a bushy tail
Bounding tracks that hug the water's edge

Habitat

Stream banks, pond edges, marshes, and any shoreline with cover, rock, and prey. They den in bank holes, root systems, and old muskrat dens.

Field Sign

Small paired tracks along the mud line, tiny den holes at the water's edge, and dark twisted scat on rocks and logs.

Behavior

Constantly on the move along shorelines, investigating every hole, undercut, and log jam. Their curiosity about den holes makes pocket and bank sets effective.

Best Sets

Pocket Set

When: At the water's edge along travel routes

Trap: #1 or 1.5 foothold at the mouth of a dug bank pocket

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Bank Hole / Blind Set

When: At natural den holes and pinch points

Trap: 110 bodygrip in the hole or run

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Box / Cubby Set

When: On the bank near sign

Trap: 110 bodygrip in a cubby baited with fish

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Bait & Lure

Fish and mink gland lure can help, but location is everything — a blind pocket set at a good pinch point often out-produces baited sets.

Fur Handling

Skin cased, flesh, and stretch fur-side in then turn. Dark, silky mink fur remains in steady demand.

Ready to run a line for mink?

Mark your sets and trap line on the map and track every check.

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