Beaver/ Muskrat - Scare Fish?

MO3N · 05-17-10, 01:57 AM

So I went fishing today and I got a few bites got two in the boat. Nothing huge. But I had to pick every place apart before I would get bit. Plus it was around 3 o'clock so not the best time. But around 7 my buddy showed up and joined me on the boat. As we were fishing different spots it seemed like this Muskrat would fallow us. Anytime it got within 20 to 30 feet of us my buddy would say "great now all the bass have moved, lets find a new spot." This made it tough to get a bit or anything moving so much. Now I understand if the thing was right in the same cove or on the log your fishing. But do they really scare the bass at all? I would say that bass get used to the beavers and such being in the lake and they do not bother them as much but what do you guys think?

Sorry for the long post

nofearengineer · 05-17-10, 09:26 AM

My suspicion is that since beaver and muskrat have never once in the history of Earth (don't ask me for proof

) killed and eaten a largemouth bass, they are probably not afraid of them at all. I'm not saying they frolic in the hydrilla with them, but they probably don't avoid them.

CamG · 05-17-10, 11:50 AM

They don't scare fish. If they did, all the bass in the lake would shrivel up and die, as they live with these creatures all their lives.

Oh, and on occasion a beaver will trap small bass (and other small fish) in an area, and will in fact eat them. But, we're talking about minnow sized fish or fry. The
only reason I know this, is that one of my deer stands sits next to a beaver pond and I get to be entertained every time I go there. Although, I've been told I'm crazy
because beavers only eat bark, and small roots.

MO3N · 05-17-10, 02:38 PM

That is what I thought. But he is a type of fisherman that likes to move if he does not get bit on the first cast so I think he just used it as an reason to move.

cassidyta · 05-17-10, 04:01 PM

While I don't think that the bass are scared of the muskrats, I would not be surprised if the bait fish are. I have seen bait fish scatter when the ducks come around. If the bait fish move, then the bass may move as well.

Jim80 · 05-17-10, 06:26 PM

From experience as soon as a beaver swims by and slaps the water with it's tail the action seems to die .

Jim

Cavs1123 · 05-20-10, 06:19 PM

Whenever a muskrat shows up where I am fishing I seem to catch a little more fish!

05-17-10, 01:57 AM	#1
MO3N BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: pullman, wa Posts: 113	Beaver/ Muskrat - Scare Fish? So I went fishing today and I got a few bites got two in the boat. Nothing huge. But I had to pick every place apart before I would get bit. Plus it was around 3 o'clock so not the best time. But around 7 my buddy showed up and joined me on the boat. As we were fishing different spots it seemed like this Muskrat would fallow us. Anytime it got within 20 to 30 feet of us my buddy would say "great now all the bass have moved, lets find a new spot." This made it tough to get a bit or anything moving so much. Now I understand if the thing was right in the same cove or on the log your fishing. But do they really scare the bass at all? I would say that bass get used to the beavers and such being in the lake and they do not bother them as much but what do you guys think? Sorry for the long post

05-17-10, 09:26 AM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	My suspicion is that since beaver and muskrat have never once in the history of Earth (don't ask me for proof ) killed and eaten a largemouth bass, they are probably not afraid of them at all. I'm not saying they frolic in the hydrilla with them, but they probably don't avoid them. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

05-17-10, 04:01 PM	#5
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	While I don't think that the bass are scared of the muskrats, I would not be surprised if the bait fish are. I have seen bait fish scatter when the ducks come around. If the bait fish move, then the bass may move as well. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

05-17-10, 06:26 PM	#6
Jim80 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thomaston CT Posts: 3,862	From experience as soon as a beaver swims by and slaps the water with it's tail the action seems to die . Jim __________________ In memory of Zooker 1/11/73-7/2/2010. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

05-20-10, 06:19 PM	#7
Cavs1123 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bellevue, Ohio Posts: 1,398	Whenever a muskrat shows up where I am fishing I seem to catch a little more fish! __________________ Tom

05-17-10, 11:50 AM	#3
CamG BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Superior, NE Posts: 974	They don't scare fish. If they did, all the bass in the lake would shrivel up and die, as they live with these creatures all their lives. Oh, and on occasion a beaver will trap small bass (and other small fish) in an area, and will in fact eat them. But, we're talking about minnow sized fish or fry. The only reason I know this, is that one of my deer stands sits next to a beaver pond and I get to be entertained every time I go there. Although, I've been told I'm crazy because beavers only eat bark, and small roots.

05-17-10, 02:38 PM	#4
MO3N BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: pullman, wa Posts: 113	That is what I thought. But he is a type of fisherman that likes to move if he does not get bit on the first cast so I think he just used it as an reason to move.

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