How to Fish for Turtles

Whether you are fishing for turtles to find a pet, or as ingredients for a turtle soup, the most effective methods are the same. Catching turtles requires a bit of preparation but a great deal of patience. It's currently legal to catch turtles in all but four states: Minnesota, New York, Oregon and North Carolina.

Things You'll Need

  • Lettuce or other vegetables
  • Worms
  • Small hand shovel
  • Small mesh bag
  • Large rock or piece of PVC pipe
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turtles can most often be found in smaller ponds and streams that have both plenty of places to hide and relatively calm water. Each area is different, so often the best place to start is by asking experienced local fishermen. Bait and tackle stores are also likely to have information on where to start your hunt.

    • 2

      Examine the area where you plan to hunt. In some areas, you may see turtles in the water along the shoreline. In these cases, it's possible to catch them simply by reaching down and carefully grabbing the turtle's shell. Be careful not to get your hands too close to the turtle's mouth, as many varieties of turtles can bite.

    • 3

      Trap a turtle. In many situations, the best way to catch a turtle is with a trap. Use your hand shovel to dig a hole about 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide in the soft mud near the shore. Ideally, the trench will be located in a way that the water seeps into -- but does not fill up -- the hole.

    • 4

      Place the lettuce, vegetables or worms in the bottom of the trench. There is no "right" amount of bait, although at least several handfuls would be ideal. Assuming there are turtles in the area, they will be attracted to the bait and will crawl into the trench to eat it. The high sides will prevent them from escaping and the remaining bait and water will keep them alive until you return.

    • 5

      Position the rock along the side of the trench closest to the water. Alternatively, you can use a piece of PVC pipe. Either item will take advantage of the turtle's natural inclination to sun itself. Turtles will climb onto the sunning platform, then slip and fall into the trench when they attempt to leave.

    • 6

      Leave and check the trench 12 to 24 hours later. Place any turtles you find in a small mesh bag and take them home immediately. If they are to be used as food, simply putting them in an appropriate-size container containing some water will suffice for up to 24 hours. Turtles captured for use as pets need to be put into a habitat appropriate for turtles.

    • 7

      Repeat the same efforts in another location if you do not capture any turtles after several attempts.