Maybe foolish question.... I'm near Thompson Lake here in Maine. Lakes still have plenty of ice. I tried trapping some minnows where it's open but got not a one. Any idea why? Temperature? Thanks

idk much about trapping minnows but iv been seeing big balls of minnows jumping outa the water when i throw lures into em or my line bumps one they all seem to go nuts jumping. im near buffalo the water temp is in the mid to low 40s

Used to trap minnows a lot when I was a kid. Had the best luck with an umbrella net (about a 3 ft. sq. net w/an X of metal rods). Best place was where a road crossed over a waterway. With a cord tied to it, lower the net,let it sink til you can still see it, wait a bit, then throw your "bait". The "bait" was any stale bread or crackers that was laying around, soak it in water so it will sink. When you see the minnows swim into the net, pull it up. If the water was moving fast, worms can be bait. Check your local fish and game book to see any legal issues.

Temp might have something to do with it but if they don't live in the area in which you're setting the traps, the temp won't matter. Usually the best places to trap minnows are the tiny little ponds. I'd get a few traps and put them at a few different places and keep trying new ones until you find a good spot.