1.Cut 12 pieces of lumber to build a box frame. You will need four pieces the length of your intended box, four pieces of your intended height and four of your intended width. For example, a trap that is 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall, 24 inches (61.0 cm) wide and 48 inches (121.9 cm) long would require four 12-inch pieces of lumber, four 24-inch pieces and four 48-inch pieces. Larger or smaller traps would require the same amount of longer or shorter lumber pieces, respectively.
2.Create a box frame with the 12 pieces of wood.Arrange the pieces in the shape of a cube. First create two squares with the smaller lengths, with similar-sized pieces parallel to one another. After you nail the two squares together, connect them with the four longer pieces of wood, creating a box frame.
3.Cut the wire mesh large enough to fold around the box. Be sure you allow for some overlap at the seam. A 12 inch (30.5 cm) X 24 inch (61.0 cm) X 48 inch (121.9 cm) trap will require a sheet of wire 6 feet (1.8 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide.
4.Fold the wire mesh around the longer sides of your box frame. Create a 90-degree corner around each slat of wood by folding the mesh around the outer corner of your frame.Tie the two edges of the sheet together with plastic "snap ties" or light gauge wire.

5.Cut another piece of wire fabric for one end of the box. The piece would be a 12 X 24 inches rectangle in this example. Secure the sheet in place with the same ties or wire you seamed the box in the previous step. A larger or smaller trap will require wire fabric equal to its width by its height.
6.Form a funnel to place at the other end of the box. Use the same type of wire mesh. The larger funnel opening should be large enough to attach it to the slats of your box, tapering down to leave an opening facing the inside of the box that is just large enough for your target fish to swim into the trap, but not escape.


  • In this example, the larger side of the funnel could be a 12 X 24-inch oval, and the smaller end might have a diameter of only 5 inches, varying based on the size of fish you hope to trap.
  • how to Using a Fish Trap
  • Bait the trap. Place an "onion bag", or mesh fruit bag, filled with your bait into the trap, along with a large stone or piece of brick to weight the trap down. Common bait used for catfish is chicken liver, corn or even dog food. Other fish species should be baited with food they find most attractive.
  • Secure the funnel. Instead of using zip ties, use wire that can be untied later to release or remove your catch, then retied for future use
  • Tie a strong line, such as a twine rope, to the trap. The line should both withstand its time underwater and be strong enough it can withhold the weight of the trap and any fish inside. You will use the line to pull your trap out of the water when you are ready to check it, so it should be at least 15 feet long.

  • Place the trap. Take the whole apparatus, including the bait inside, to the fishing hole you plan to place it. Then simply drop the trap in the water in your chosen location. Secure the other end of the rope on the bank.


    • An ideal spot for a catfish trap will have little current. Choose a protected spot in a slow-moving river, a large pond, or the edge of a lake.

    • Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!