I have read that river otters can be very damaging to fish populations on smaller bodies of water, but I have never heard that with any supporting context like size of the body of water or numbers of otters per square acre, etc. Do any of you pond/lake managers know just how detrimental they are to a fish population?

I ask because we have about 10 different lakes on our property and I have seen a family of 4 otters on one of our two lakes that are about 70acres. Do we have anything to worry about or should we just enjoy their playfulness and inquisitive demeanors?

Thanks for the help

They are are very fun to watch, but are a disaster for your fish populations - especially the big fish.

Check out www.pondboss.com for more information.

hard to say what the extent of the damage could be, but I've found remains of Bass up to 5 or 6 lbs and Catfish up to 10-15lbs that were eaten by otters. Up to you if you want to keep them or not. If you elect to get rid of them make sure you are legal in your actions.

Try calling USDA-APHIS sometimes they'll send out a trapper for no cost. Sometimes you must pay for a trapper.

Otters and fish are not consistent with one another, the fish always lose.

I've caught otters many times in hoop nets, they go in to try and get the fish and can't get out and drown.

A sure sign they are around is large fish heads on the banks. I've watched them eat catfish, the otter on its back holding the catfish (usually a brooder of six to twelve pounds) and eating it tail first towards the head. Once to the head, they toss it and get another one.

OK good to know, we are going to contact our lake manager and get this "removal" show on the road. It's a shame that they are so bad for our fish population. They are beautiful animals and fun to have around.

I was pitching a dock at Conroe and two ducks were playfully chasing each other (mallards- one male and one female). They turned to where they were right in front of me so I was paying attention to them and not so much my line. All of a sudden a friggin otter came up and grabbed the full size male and ripped him under water. The female went ballistic! She jumped outta the water and quacked her little heart out. It got so pathetic we had to leave... nature can be brutal.

Mmmm.... tell that to the musky and northern pike fishermen who use baby ducks as bait...