Link to:
Beaver and Otter Trapping Map
Statewide Season Limits
Beaver: No limit
Otter: 3 per person. Only 1 may be taken from Unit B, and only 1 from Unit C. Also see Note 3 below.
In addition to the general
Fur Harvester Rules
, the following regulations apply to beaver and otter trapping:
-
Only foothold, body-gripping or conibear-type traps may be used for taking beaver and otter. Traps with teeth are illegal. Exception: See below for use of snares to take beaver.
-
A catching device of any type must have a permanent etching or metal tag bearing the user's name and address or Michigan Driver License number. If one or more snares are attached to a pole, both the snare and the uppermost end of the pole needs a metal tag.
-
Snares may be used to take beaver from Dec. 1 to Mar. 31, statewide, if the location at which snares are placed is ice-covered. Snares must be made of 1/16 - inch or larger cable and must be removed and made inoperative within 24 hours after the close of the beaver season.
-
Up to 10 muskrat pelts may be legally taken in beaver or otter sets.
Notes:
-
The beaver and otter trapping season in Unit a extends through April 30 on designated trout streams only. Click
here
for a list of these streams in the Upper Peninsula.
-
The Gladwin Field Dog Trial Area is closed to trapping except for beaver and otter trapping, which is permitted from Nov. 15 through Mar. 15, 2008
-
Fur harvesters must purchase a new license after Mar. 31. The season limit for otter does not change with the purchase of a new license. Otter taken after Mar. 31 count against the 2007-2008 bag limit. A free otter
kill tag
is required.
Beaver and otter trapping is closed in the following areas:
Alger: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Benzie: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Leelanau: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Mecosta: State land in Colfax Township.
Newaygo: White River and 100 feet from either side of the River from M-37 downstream to the Oceana county line. Pere Marquette River (Big South Branch) and 100 feet from either side of the River from 13 Mile Road downstream to Oceana County.
Schoolcraft: Seney National Wildlife Refuge, closed to otter trapping. Contact the Refuge on possible beaver trapping.
Also see General Fur Harvester Rulesand
Special Management Units
.