Minnow Trap

[Tyrel26]

Ok here is how I made my minnow trap, its not fancy but it works and it cost under $2.00 to make. I know there are ways to make this trap better but it works so if its not broke don't fix it lol.

PLEASE REMEMBER: Some snakes will get into these traps so please set these traps in shallow enough water to allow breathing room for a captured snake. We want to catch snake food, not drown snakes.

ALSO: know what type of fish you catch, some of the tiny little fish that get caught in these traps are endangered, please know what you feed your snake for more than just the snakes sake.

CAUTION: if you are not an adult please ask one for help

what you'll need (feel free to improvise)
-pail with lid (any kind will do)
-fly mesh (use an old fly screen from a window or just buy some at a
hardware store, this is where i spent my $2.00 lol)
-wire or paperclips
-string
-rubber bands
-needle and thread

Tools:
-drill or a candle and nail held with pliers to burn holes
-knife
-tape (not necessary but it helps)

Ok here we go:

my pail and screen/mesh



Cut the bottom out of the pail with the knife (be very careful)



Drill/melt* holes around the edge you left
* light the candle, hold the nail with pliers and when its hot just burn the holes through



Next take your wire and make a nice circle, and cut a hole in a piece of your mesh (20"x20" worked for me but it depends on the size of the pail, just make sure you have enough to make a nice funnel shape)

my wire

[Tyrel26]

The circle i made from the wire and the hole i cut in the mesh



Sew the circle into the mesh



Use wire/string to tie the mesh to the pail through the holes you made earlier (i simply wrapped the loose mesh with wire in the corners to take up the slack, i could have made an exact funnel but the fish dont care how it looks lol)



Tie wire/string to the wire circle, and attach it to the inside of the pail by drilling/burning a couple holes, this is to keep the funnel in place

[Tyrel26]

Next put the cover on the pail and cut it the same as you did the bottom



Again sew a wire circle into the mesh cut to the necessary size (i used paper clips and tape for the circle this time and sewed it with fishing line)



Next tie 2 rubber bands to a paper clip and the other ends to the wire circle

[Tyrel26]

Now hook the clip into the wire circle on the opposite funnel, this will keep this funnel in place (we can tie this one cause we need to be able to remove the lid to remove the fish)



FINALLY stretch the mesh over the mouth of the pail and put the lid back on, the lid will hold this funnel in place, no sowing necessary (i drilled the holes and then decided to do it this way instead lol) When you want to remove fish just take the cover off the pail and the funnel will only fall inside



Now just toss in some bait (bread works fine) and choose your location.These are some of the fish i was able to catch (i had many more, this is just a small sample) 3 different kinds. The stripped one is a banded killifish, endangered in some parts of Canada, so be careful what you use as food




HAPPY FISHING!!

[Stefan-A]

PLEASE REMEMBER: Some snakes will get into these traps so please set these traps in shallow enough water to allow breathing room for a captured snake. We want to catch snake food, not drown snakes.

On that note, it doesn't look like it would take much to make it float. A couple of half-litre bottles along the sides to keep the top part of it above the surface.

[charles parenteau]

I think I bought like 5 trap....all stolen!!!And its fun you never know what you can find inside!!!I caught 12 inches burbot (amia calva)and smaller one ...in a ditch its crazy!!!

[Lovok]

This is PERFECT!!! THANK YOU Tyre- you are totally awesomel!!