Silver Lake

[thedude055]

I am moving to Washington this summer from Ohio and was looking at some property near Silver Lake.  I am wondering if trapping is allowed on and around silver lake.  It appears by sight to be a good location for at least rats.  I would be starting small and probably just run some colony traps the first year while i get to know and understand all of the trapping laws and develop skills in the cage trapping only world.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Triplej]

Silver lake... where in Washington ?

[thedude055]

East of Castle Rock west of Toutle on 504 in Cowlitz county.

[Humptulips]

Melvin Wheeler used to trap that lake. I don't think he is able to trap anymore. I believe he told me it was a good rat lake but the water level was controlled and the rat population depended on how high they kept the water.
Never trapped down there myself.

[onetrapper]

was there 4 years ago and set it heavy with colonies....think that the rats  had just been wiped out by disease...found some dead ones.  Caught very few rats. Quite a few mink and beaver there though.  Population may take years to recover or maybe never will.

[thedude055]

Sorry old topic but I live right next to Silverlake now and have some state land that joins up to mine.  I am just curious as to what I can do on that land if anything and where i could go to check out other state land or public land that I could hunt or trap on.  I am literally just information gathering at this point.  I havent been a resident long enough to even get a resident license of any sort yet.  LOL. 

[thedude055]

This land would be the Hall Road Unit in Cowlitz County.  That is according to the State website.

[Humptulips]

I would get a DNR map. You should be able to trap on all State Land with a few exceptions. You'll need a Discover Pass if you are driving on DNR land

[Hank]

Have you taken Washington State Trappers Education yet? You'll need that to buy your license. We have a class coming up on Dec 5th.


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[Hannibal]

took 15 beaver off the lake this summer,,,,,,might be slow for them..........

[thedude055]

We got pictures of some otter the other day right by the house.  It is such an awesome area.  I am looking to get my trappers ed.  class and get to do a little bit of trapping this year.  I am getting my shed set up now and learning all the new laws with hunting.  I have zero legal traps so I need to start there.  LOL. 

[dc]

My Dad trapped for many yrs. and has many traps to get rid of.  I believe you will be looking for caged traps.  pm me and let me know what you might be looking for and I will see what he has.  Mind you my Dad is mid 70's and not able to trap anymore.  He hasn't even really talked about getting rid of the traps, but I will chat with him if he indeed has what you need.  He actually lives in Longview, so checking the traps out would be easy.