Trappers, other outdoors enthusiasts urged to take survey to assess PA's muskrat population trends

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is seeking feedback from trappers and other outdoor enthusiasts about muskrat numbers and trends about the species across the state of Pennsylvania via a new online survey.

"What we’ve seen is a decline in the muskrat since really the 1970s as far as we can tell," said Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist Tom Keller during an April 2024 Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast interview about American marten reintroduction efforts. "If we look at some of our indices that we track species with, there’s been this steady decline from the 70s until now and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. To me that is very alarming."

The survey, built with assistance from intern Abbie Mack, is focused on those who trap muskrat and other species, as "individuals who spend lots of time studying the habits and trends of not only muskrats but also the habitat in which they live," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "Many trappers and hunters can be multi-generational learners who pass down information they've noticed and can hopefully shed additional light on what may be going on with the muskrat. If this species is declining when water quality is otherwise improving and other aquatic mammals such as the river otter are rebounding, then what are we all missing?"

According to Keller, there has been a little research done on the muskrat in Pennsylvania as far as to find what that "smoking gun" might be as far as what might be causing decline, but the research is focused mostly on muskrat health so far and "as biologists, that is one of the easiest things we can look at and we really haven’t found much with their health."

Next would be studying parameters such as water quality and flow over the course of time, looking at the correlation to how muskrat habitat has changed, and how it may have negatively impacted the muskrat.

Trappers and other outdoor enthusiasts who have spent time studying muskrat behaviors in the state of Pennsylvania are encouraged to fill out the online survey located here and to share the link with others in their contacts.

"Like one of those connect-the-dot puzzles we did as kids, the more information we get in from people of all types across the state, the cleared the picture will be of what may be going on with the muskrat," said Zaktansky. "Perhaps some, in certain parts of the state, have seen increases in the species. Others may have noticed decreases over times. Just those geographical differences may help lead to some answers. Maybe the species is doing better than some realize? We won't know until we hear from people and what they've noticed."

If you have any questions, contact Zaktansky directly via email. 

Take the online Muskrat survey