How to Trap Turtles

Turtles are the oldest living reptiles, approximately 200 million years old. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, but are particularly plentiful in North America. These important scavengers may inhabit any permanent body of water. Ordinarily, turtles are a positive addition to the ecosystem of a body of water. Contrary to the belief of some, they do not feed directly on fish. However, they will compete with fish for food, causing economic harm to an aquaculture pond. In addition, they can harm rice fields. Therefore, you may need to take steps to control their population.

Things You'll Need

  • Turtle trap
  • Anchor (generally a rock or brick)
  • Rope
  • Bait
  • Fishing line
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a trap. Traps are commercially available or you can make your own. The best traps are made of lightweight, yet strong metal like aluminum. Better traps also have rust-resistant coatings that keep them from breaking down in water. There are dozens of varieties of turtle traps, so read the box and ask the sales associate if possible to find out which type best suits your environment.

    • 2

      Place the trap in a quiet area of the body of water. Near the inlet of a pond, the quiet area of a stream or the shallow water of a lake are often the best places to find turtles. Look for soft bottom areas near vegetation.

    • 3

      Anchor the trap in place with a rock or tie it off to an anchor point.

    • 4

      Suspend bait in the trap on hooks or in moving bait containers. Bait such as fresh fish, red meat or chicken pieces often works best.

    • 5

      Check the trap two or three times per day to remove turtles and refresh the traps. Avoid using your hands to remove the turtle from the cage. Instead try to dump it out of the cage, or coax it out with a stick. Remove the hooks with long pliers or by cutting the line. Don't attempt to reach in to the turtle's mouth with your hands to remove the hook. Snapping turtles have a very strong bite and have been known to sever fingers. Some snapping turtles have necks long enough to bite even if you are holding them by the tail.