Because our freeze up often comes early in the fall, the muskrat trapper will usually have to do at least part of his trapping through the ice. Muskrats are easily caught after freeze up by trapping them in their houses. Each muskrat house has a main chamber in it. Open the house carefully, using a hay knife or similar tool, and insert the trap. Place the trap on the floor of the chamber.
Most trappers use a wire extension in the trap chain and wire it to a stick outside the house.
Leave enough slack chain by the trap so that the muskrat can dive and drown itself. This type of set can also be used at the larger muskrat feeders with good results. Carefully replace the material taken out when opening the house and tamp it firmly back in place. If you do not tightly close the hole you made in the side of the house, the house and its occupants will freeze. When a water area is frozen, active muskrats bank dens can be easily located by looking for air bubbles under the ice.