River Otter got my fish

[fish]

Only five fish left. One more was taken last night. I guess it is a river otter. There is a small stream about 1/2 block from the pond. That must be where the otter lives. I can see where the animal has made a path in and out of the pond. Last night I set a spring trap in that path but didn't catch him, but he got a fish. Had seven nice koi and about fifteen gold fish. Now down to five goldies. Interesting the otter took the large koi first. The otter will no doubt get the last five fish. It looks hopeless to replace the fish next spring.

 

[rdk]

My friend owns a fantastic one acre pond in up state NY. Had all his fish cleaned out by a river otter. I have better luck with my 310 gal pond with a good pond cover and I have all kinds of creatures coming to my pond every night trying to get a meal. RDK

 

[DrDave]

Countermeasures, think smarter than the otter. There must be a number of ways to deter or eliminate the problem. An electric fence might be your first choice.

 

[j.w]

So sad to hear about that troublesome otter. Maybe a strand of electric wire around the pond would do the trick. I don't think he'd like getting zapped every time he visits

 

[stroppy]

sad about the otter ..cant offer advice really on how to deter him, but i guess he got the koi first because they are a little slower than goldies

 

[Pondmaster]

It you have a Tractor Supply Company store nearby your better off getting materials there for an electric fence. Be sure to tell them it's for a river otter and they will help you select the smaller charger, wire and posts.

 

[Steve knight]

simple but ugly solution a spike barrier. I made one to keep the cat off the stereo. a piece of ply with nails or screws poking out. does wonders but ugly has hell.

 

[lifeworthliving]

Wow. No advise here either. But that is so sad. Go with the elec fence and see if you can fry you an otter!

 

[Pondmaster]

You might want to check your liability limits on your homeowners insurance policy or buy an umbrella liability policy before doing the spike barrier.

 

[DrDave]

Good advice. Whenever I have had any dangerous or potentially lethal devices protecting my ponds, I personally turned them on and off at dusk and dawn.

 

[addy1]

simple but ugly solution a spike barrier. I made one to keep the cat off the stereo. a piece of ply with nails or screws poking out. does wonders but ugly has hell.

We used carpet tack strips to keep the coyotes from walking our fence in arizona, worked great. Even the neighbors were happy about moving them along.