Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority

Preserving the Resource for Future Generations

Trap Nets Facts

•    Long lead net that diverts fish into an enclosure (heart) and through a tunnel into a pot (Whitefish naturally lead into pot).
•    The net has a 1000 foot 14 inch stretched mesh lead.
•    Submerged closed-top hearts and pots supported by floats, frames, and anchors.
•    Trap nets have wing nets leading into a V-shaped heart and box-shaped pot.
•    Trap Nets typically fish in water shallower than 90 feet.
•    Shallow water trap net-lead averages 15 ft or less in depth; and the pot 2 -15 ft in depth and 6-15 ft in length.
•    Deep water trap net-lead averages 35 ft or more in depth; and the pot averages 20-40 ft in depth and length.
•    Trap Nets often have a flag marker buoy or float at the lead end toward shore and the main anchor end lakeward.
•    The pot always has a flag marker buoy.
•    Floats may also be present at the ends of the wings
 

All trap nets are required to be marked by the permitted fishers. Each trap net must be marked with a 4-foot staff buoy with a red or orange flag bearing the license number of the fisher. In addition, the king anchor and lead end of the net must be marked with a red or orange float that is at least 1 gallon in size.