River Otter

Lontra canadensis

All species

A large, valuable water furbearer taken in bodygrip and foothold sets on runs and latrines.

Typical Size

10 – 30 lb

Prime Season

Dec – Feb

Overview

River otters are powerful semi-aquatic weasels that travel long stretches of waterway. Where seasons and quotas permit, they're taken with bodygrip sets in runs and footholds at latrines and crossovers. Most states require tagging.

Identification

10-30 lb long, muscular, streamlined body
Dense dark-brown fur with a paler throat
Thick tapered tail and fully webbed feet
Travels in loping bounds with a humped back on land

Habitat

Rivers, large streams, lakes, and coastal marshes with fish and cover. They use bank dens, beaver lodges, and undercut banks.

Field Sign

Latrine sites with fishy scat on points and banks, slides into the water, rolling stations, and webbed five-toed tracks.

Behavior

Highly mobile and playful, following waterways and returning to established latrines and crossovers — the key locations for sets.

Best Sets

Bodygrip Run Set

When: At crossovers, culverts, and pinch points

Trap: 330 bodygrip staked square in the travel run

View full set instructions →

Foothold Latrine Set

When: At active rolling and latrine stations

Trap: #11 double long-spring or #3 coilspring with a drowning rig

View full set instructions →

Bait & Lure

Largely location-driven blind sets, though otter/fish lure at latrines can help. Reading sign matters far more than bait.

Fur Handling

Skin cased, flesh the heavy fat and muscle, and stretch. Otter fur is dense, durable, and valuable; most states require pelt tagging.

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