For a number of years, the State of Iowa had a DNR program to re-introduce them into the State. The program worked so well, and the "habitat" is so good, that two years ago the State started a very limited trapping season. This year was the second year. Only so many animals are allowed to be trapped each year, then the season closes.
Well, they also had an unforseen side-effect to getting the otters back. They have been cleaning out all the hatchery raised trout the DNR have been stocking in the local trout streams! Those yuppy big-city trout "fishermen" are really p*ssed about that - because their money is being used to raise and stock those trout for THEM to catch, not to feed some furry rodents! They actually were one of the big lobbying groups to get the trapping season set up. Unintended consequences - leading to anti-fur/trapping advocates to lobby the legislature to institute a trapping season.
Of course, stock trout in some of these streams has come close to causing the extinction of some of the native minnow/chub populations. More Unintended Consequences.
I haven't seen any otters through here personally, but I've seen some signs - tracks/slides. A friend flies a plane for the Minnesota DNR doing counts of otter slides along the rivers. Their populations are increasing rapidly here in the Upper Midwest in the U.S. Few or no natural predators with great habitat and food supply quickly leads to that.
And a few fish farmers have had to put up electrified mesh fencing around their ponds - to try to keep the otters out.
Just a few humble observations to share.
Mikey - yee ol' grumpy blacksmith out in the Hinterlands
