How to Make Minnow Traps From Wire Mesh

If you have access to a small body of water that contains fish, you can catch minnows using a homemade trap. The trap is small enough in size and design that it can also be used for trapping crawfish. Constructing the trap takes only a single afternoon of work. Once complete, the trap is secured to shore with a small rope to capture minnows. Use the resource below for other designs and the use of specific baits to entice the minnows inside the metal cage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2x5-foot ¼ -inch hardware cloth or wire mesh
• Tape measure
• Black marker
• Tin snips
• 22-gauge stainless steel wire (small spool)
• Wire pliers

1. Spread the roll of hardware cloth over a flat surface. Use the tape measure and the black marker to identify a line that is 28 inches from one end. Cut the line with the tin snips.

2. Fold the cut end of the hardware cloth over approximately 2 or 3 squares back to form a smooth end to the sharp edge. Bring the two edges together to form a round cylinder that is approximately 8 to 8 ½ inches in diameter and 24 inches long.

3. Hold the cylinder together by weaving the stainless wire in between the squares. Cut the wire to length with the wire pliers.

4. Mark a circle on the remainder of the hardware cloth that is 19 inches in diameter. Cut this circle from the wire mesh. Mark another line down the center of the circular piece of hardware cloth. Cut the line. You should have two half circles that are 19 inches across the straight edge.

5. Fold one of the half circles together along the straight edge in such a way as to form a funnel from the wire mesh. Use the stainless steel wire to hold the funnel in place as you did for the round cylinder. Cut the end of the funnel off to create a hole that is 2 inches in diameter.

6. Insert the funnel into one end of the round cylinder cage. Mold the funnel to fit. Use the stainless steel wire to hold the funnel to the round cage. Perform the same operation for the other half circle and insert that funnel into the other end.

7. Mark a 5x5-inch square on the side of the round cylinder cage. This will be the door in which to pull the minnows from the trap and feed bait into the cage. Cut the square from the cage. Make a 7x7-inch square from the remainder of the hardware cloth. Use the stainless steel wire, and tie the upper end of the 7-inch door like a hinge,over the 5-inch square opening. Center the wire mesh door over the smaller opening. Use a smaller piece of wire to secure the bottom of the door to the cage.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear leather gloves as the cut pieces of the hardware cloth can contain very sharp edges. Consult local game and fish regulations for any special rules concerning minnow trapping.

References

• Minnow Trapping
• Crawdad Trap

Resources

• Minnow Traps

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