Otter Problems

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

A lake i fish has a problem with some Otters, in the fact that they are taking great chunks out of the large carp that inhabit the lake. Obviously we don't want Carp swimming around that are horribly scarred and with wounds that could be easliy infected

Just wondering if anyone knows of a way we could discourage the Otters from hunting at this lake, obviously without harming them??

I am not anti otter at all, but everything has its right place

[Wild-Woman]

Now what I know about fishing, you could write on the back of a stamp, so tell me to find another thread if you want. But is it possible that it's not the otters and perhaps another fish eg pike?
If it is the otters, would it help to discourage them biting the carp by giving them an easier option, like placing raw hens eggs along the bank for them to find? Or some fishmonger scraps?? Just an idea and if you're laughing hysterically by now, at least I've made you happy this morning. ww

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

It's definatly not Pike, Pike will take small(under 1lb) fish such as roach and rudd, the Carp being harmed are 15lb+

I'm not sure feeding the otters would work, Otters are a preditor, and from what i know only eat what they kill, rather than scavenging. Besides from that i'm not sure you could keep up with there demand for food, and would probably encourage them to be there more that anything else.

Thanks for the reply.

[Alan]

John, is this your lake you're taking about? If it is, as far as I'm aware there are no Otters in this area! Are you finding the remains of the carp? If so, it could possibly be down to desease. The bodies could then be washing up on the bank and rats or similare could be nawing at them. If your sure a predator is killing them, this could easily be mink - as specially as the carp may be weak due to spawing activity (although it may be a bit early for that). Is there any tracks/signs etc about?

PM me if you want me to come down and have a look!

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Hi Alan,

No its not my lake, its another in the Bain valley in the wolds. Otters were realeased into the Bain and one has been found as roadkill on the main road nearby.

A few carp have been found dead, and dragged well up out of the water, not many animals can do that, and the other Carp are being caught with pieces missing out of their tails

[Jonny]

Thats a hard one Lincs, being an ex carper, I understand your predicament, but we all love the otters, don't we. How about you get together with all the other members and work out a rota, so that someone is on the lake all the time, to deter the otters somewhere else.............Jon

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

but we all love the otters, don't we

Yes, everything is fine in there right place i don't feel that a lake with tons of history like the one is the right place for them some of these carp have been in the lake since 1958

I'm not actually a member of the lake, but am friends with the person who runs it. I'm sure something like patrolling the lake will have to be done

[Jonny]

[quote=Lincs Yellowbelly]Yes, everything is fine in there right place i don't feel that a lake with tons of history like the one is the right place for themQUOTE]

But otters live in water and eat fish, where would you suggest is the right place for them...........Jon

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Not IMO in a small(2acre) lake with a limited number of prey food, the Otter will completly devistate the fish stock in the lake and completly distroy the fishing some of these Carp are over 50years old, seems a very sad loss to me Otters IMO should be in places like the big lochs and lakes in the lake district, and in big rivers with a good stock of prey fish

I don't want to get into a arguement about Otters and appreciate all coments on this matter.

[Alan]

It's a hard one. I'm sure we all want to see Otters about, but in a restricted area they could wipe out the entire stock! A bit like the fox in the henhouse situation but spread over a longer period of time. The upper stretches of the River Bain are quite narrow and the fish populations are somewhat localised, so this may not have been the ideal place to release Otters - especially as there are a few comercial fisheries spread through the valley. The only thing I could think of besides a round the clock watch, and I mean round the clock as Otters will most probably be hunting at night, is some kind of fence, and maybe electrified. The Otters may then move onto another area. Those ultrasonic devices for detering cats/moles may also be worth trying.