Pickle Jar Minnow Trap
Have you ever wanted one of those vintage glass minnow traps but didn't want to spend the money? Well, let's build one for less than $10. This project takes less than an hour and will have you trapping minnows in no time.
Items Needed
Items Needed:
A. One Pickle Jar with Lid.
B. Clear plastic funnel. Cost $1.00. I am not sure who produces this particular funnel, but my local sporting goods store sells them to convert mason jars into minnow traps.
C. 3/16 inch glass and tile bit. I purchased mine at Lowes for about $7.00.
D. Variable speed drill.
E. Hammer and flat head screwdriver or dremel tool.
E. Gloves and safety glasses. A must when working with glass.
Drilling Bottom of Jar
Drilling the Jar:
1. Turn the jar upside down on a non slip padded surface. I used an old bathroom rug for this project. I also used my legs to hold on to the jar while drilling.
2. Using the 3/16" bit carefully drill about 6-9 holes through the bottom of the jar. You must use water to lubricate the drill bit during the process. Failure to do so can result in glass breakage. The key is using a slow speed when drilling and using a slower speed as the drill bit goes deeper into the glass. Do not rush this step or you will end up with a broken jar!
1. Turn the jar upside down on a non slip padded surface. I used an old bathroom rug for this project. I also used my legs to hold on to the jar while drilling.
2. Using the 3/16" bit carefully drill about 6-9 holes through the bottom of the jar. You must use water to lubricate the drill bit during the process. Failure to do so can result in glass breakage. The key is using a slow speed when drilling and using a slower speed as the drill bit goes deeper into the glass. Do not rush this step or you will end up with a broken jar!
Drilling Complete
This is what the bottom of the jar should look like after drilling.
Cut Hole in Lid
Cutting the Lid:
1. Turn the lid upside down and center the funnel on the lid.
2. Mark the inside of the funnel on the lid.
3. Carefully cut out out the center of the lid. I slowly punched mine out with a hammer and a large flat head screwdriver, but a dremel tool might work also. Be careful as the metal will be sharp.
1. Turn the lid upside down and center the funnel on the lid.
2. Mark the inside of the funnel on the lid.
3. Carefully cut out out the center of the lid. I slowly punched mine out with a hammer and a large flat head screwdriver, but a dremel tool might work also. Be careful as the metal will be sharp.
Insert Funnel Into Lid
Insert funnel into lid. If you are careful and did not cut the hole too big you should be able to press the funnel into the lid without using an adhesive to hold it on.
Completed Minnow Trap
Place the lid back on the jar and now you have created a glass minnow trap. You may attached a small rope around the lid for pulling out of streams.
Now get out and trap some minnows! I find that glass traps catch more minnows than the wire type traps.
Tip: add a couple of crumbled up saltine crackers to your trap before placing in a stream.