Muskrat management
Water authorities combat muskrats and coypu. They do not fit into our water system.
These animals dig tunnels and burrows that can cause damage to dykes, banks, and flood embankments. We do not control brown rats and voles. In most of the area, their numbers are under control. Catches have fallen significantly in recent years. The central part of the northern coastal area is the only place where we still face a challenge in keeping their numbers under control.
Report muskrat or coypu
Muskrat management 2012–2025
Muskrats cause damage to dykes by digging tunnels and burrows. The water authority wants to keep the dykes safe and strong and deals with muskrats, which is a statutory obligation. We are getting the population increasingly under control. As there are fewer and fewer muskrats in our area, we catch fewer of them every year.
Annual catch figures
Catches in Noorderzijlvest have risen slightly over the past year. The population is now so low that it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue the sharp decline of recent years.
eDNA technique for detecting muskrats
In 2024, we started using eDNA tracking for the first time. This technique involves taking water samples and analysing them in a laboratory for the presence of muskrat DNA. Due to this technique, we have been able to catch the 'last' muskrats in various locations. The biggest challenge for the coming years will be the nature reserves (De Onlanden and lake Lauwersmeer area), where we have the highest population.
Muskrat catches 2024–2025
Muskrat numbers in the northeast of the Netherlands
Muskrat catches | Final total | |
| Catches 2025 | Catches 2024 | |
| Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Authority | 662 | 1.097 |
| Hunze and Aa’s Water Authority | 2.534 | 2.927 |
| Noorderzijlvest Water Authority | 490 | 485 |
| Vechtstromen Water Authority | 4.778 | 3.690 |
Total northeast Netherlands | 8.464 | 8.199 |
Muskrat management until 2025
- 2012 number of muskrats caught 28,126
- 2013 number of muskrats caught 23,504
- 2014 number of muskrats caught 17,671
- 2015 number of muskrats caught 15,813
- 2016 number of muskrats caught 14,378
- 2017 number of muskrats caught 6,886
- 2018 number of muskrats caught 4,675
- 2019 number of muskrats caught 2,514
- 2020 number of muskrats caught 1,616
- 2021 number of muskrats caught 1,292
- 2022 number of muskrats caught 882
- 2023 number of muskrats caught 441
- 2024 number of muskrats caught 485
- 2025 number of muskrats caught 490
As in previous years, we also caught a few coypu in 2025. Coypu are also on the list of invasive species. The number of coypu has been increasing since 2023. The control of muskrats and coypu is regulated by law in our country. The aim is to keep the population as small as possible so that damage remains manageable.
