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TOP 5 VIEWING SITES
• Grand River Wildlife Area, Ashtabula County
• Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area, Trumbull County
• Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Wayne & Holmes counties
• Stillwater Creek, Harrison & Tuscarawas counties
• Little Muskingum River, Monroe & Washington counties
2012 UPDATE
This native furbearer continues to increase in many of Ohio’s rivers, streams and lakes, where their distribution includes at least 67 counties encompassing 69 watersheds. Increases in otter numbers are likely the result of improved aquatic habitats, an expanding beaver population, and similar restoration efforts in neighboring states. Current population estimates suggest that river otters may number more than 8,000 individuals in Ohio. Continued population growth will provide additional opportunities for viewing river otters, especially in eastern Ohio. A highly regulated and limited trapping program in eastern Ohio, where river otters are most abundant, will continue to provide opportunities for trappers to harvest this species during 2012-2013. Research and development of Best Management Practices has identified traps and trapping systems that allow for the safe, selective, and efficient capture of skunks, while maintaining high animal welfare standards.
Survey details and historical data can be found here.
Regulations regarding River Otters can be found here.
Best Management Practices for trapping river otters can be found here.
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