Otter Alert !

[Ketchn]

I have heard they are quite common from lots of folks over the years . I have traveled far and wide and seen them in the zoo and even large numbers of sea otters . I have never seen a wild freshwater north American otter .
A guy told me 2 years ago he saw a family of them in this lake and I was skeptical as I have been all over that lake for years and never saw one .
My buds tell me they are quite common in other areas of Texas as well .
But whatever the case they have eluded me visually until yesterday . I was tossing fish behind me near the bull rushes and at one point saw a pretty big swirl shortly after I pitched one back that way . I thought whoops a big bass or catfish just got an easy meal .
Next thing you know I looked back to my rod tip and there is an otter looking up at me from where my line enters the water ! He is gone in a flash though when he saw me look down at him and I am wishing I could have gotten a photo or 2 or 3 .
He leaves a bubble trail as he moves on and in just a bit the bubble trail returns . He scrambled up on a rock and gave me that pretty please one more fish look and I wouldn't cooperate and off he went on his way .
I know if he gets trained to take fish he will likely have a shorter life ,so as much as he looked all sweet and gave me those needy eyes I told him no sir not today , you got one and that was an accident , on your way little fella and quite trying to spook the fish please
p.s. he even moved the dead head I was pitching to in a circle from underwater at one point and the crappie at that location didn't seem to worried about it ?

[silverside]

Never seen one. Thanks for sharing!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[BobC]

Great photo! I know we have them in my stream, but have yet to see one. Muskrats yes though.
Bob

[SuperDave336]

Cool pics. Yeah I've seen several muskrats as well.

[cellis]

Neat pics! I saw two on the bank at Sam Rayburn one time about 15 years ago. Very cool experience. Thanks for sharing.

[Olegiller1]

That would be a great experience to get to watch a wild North American Otter. They love to play.
It is a sad day when they decide to settle at a farm pond. They can strip it of any sizeable fish in a hurry.

[trypman1]

Cool pics, beautiful animals.

[Cane Pole]

Otters are making a comeback here. They back to pooping on our boat dock, but not nears as bad as the blue crane poop.

[RLS40]

I see them quite often when on the area lakes. I believe there is a trapping season on them also.
If they are around make sure your minnow bucket tied to the dock is securely locked.
They can open a unsecured bucket and eat all the bait in a short time.

["G"]

They are fun to watch