Raccoons are not difficult to trap. They are curious, opportunistic feeders that will investigate almost any strong smell. The challenge is selecting a bait that draws the raccoon fully into the trap rather than letting it steal the bait from outside, and ideally one that does not attract every cat, dog, and skunk in the neighbourhood at the same time.
The right bait depends on your trap type, your location, and what other animals are in the area. Here is what works consistently.
Before You Bait: Trap Placement Matters More Than Bait Choice
- Place the trap in the raccoon’s travel path. Raccoons follow the same routes repeatedly, typically along fence lines, the edges of buildings, and near water sources. A perfectly baited trap in the wrong location catches nothing.
- Wear gloves when handling the trap and bait. Raccoons are cautious animals. Human scent on the trap or bait can cause them to approach and then retreat without entering.
- Place bait at the very back of the trap. The raccoon must step fully onto the trigger plate to reach it. Bait placed near the entrance can be stolen without triggering the mechanism.
- Check the trap every 12 to 24 hours. A trapped raccoon left in a cage for longer will suffer from stress and dehydration, and in most states you are legally required to check traps within 24 hours.
- Check local regulations before trapping. Most US states have specific rules about trapping, relocating, and releasing raccoons. Some require a permit. Relocating raccoons more than a few miles from the capture site is restricted in several states.
What Raccoons Are Attracted To
Raccoons are omnivores with a strong preference for sweet, fatty, and fishy foods. Their sense of smell is their primary hunting tool, which means scent-strong baits outperform visual lures in almost every situation.
The most consistently effective food baits are marshmallows, sweet corn, fish-based products, and fruit. Purpose-formulated commercial baits add scent compounds that carry further than food alone and are specifically designed to be less attractive to cats and dogs than raw food.
One important distinction: dog-proof traps and cage traps require different bait approaches. In a dog-proof trap, the bait needs to be pushed down into the cylindrical tube, so a paste or pellet bait works better than a solid food item. In a cage trap, any of the baits below work well when placed at the back behind the trigger plate.
Best Raccoon Baits for 2026
| Product | Best For | Scent Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Coon Gitter Bait | Best Overall / DP and Cage Traps | Sweet cherry |
| Pete Rickard’s Fish Oil | Best Fish-Based Lure | Fish / natural |
| Ringtail Cocktail Bait | Best Smoked Fish Paste | Smoked salmon |
| Wildlife Research Hard Core Lure | Best Long-Range Attractant | Burning-sweet compound |
| Dunlap Very Berry DP Coon Bait | Best for Dog-Proof Traps | Intense berry |
1. Coon Gitter Bait
The most consistently recommended commercial raccoon bait among trappers and nuisance wildlife operators, and the one with the longest track record of results across different regions and seasons. Coon Gitter is a pellet-format bait with a strong sweet cherry scent formulated to carry well in both warm and cold conditions. Because it comes as dry pellets rather than a paste or liquid, it does not turn rancid, does not freeze solid in winter, and is easier to handle than wet baits without contaminating the trap with human scent.
Works in both dog-proof traps and cage traps. For a DP trap, push a tablespoon of pellets down into the cylinder to trigger level and scatter a few on the ground at the base to draw the raccoon in. For a cage trap, place the pellets in a small pile at the very back behind the trigger plate. The cherry scent is less attractive to cats than fish-based baits, which reduces the chance of catching a neighbour’s pet. Available in 12 oz and 1 lb bags.
- Format: Dry pellets
- Scent: Sweet cherry
- Works in: Dog-proof traps, cage traps, dirt hole sets
- Advantage: Non-rancid, weather-resistant, less attractive to cats than fish baits
2. Pete Rickard’s LC260 Fish Oil
Fish oil is one of the most reliably effective raccoon attractants because it mimics a natural food source raccoons actively seek out near streams and ponds. Pete Rickard’s LC260 is pure fish oil in a 4 oz bottle, concentrated enough that a few drops on the bait or on the ground near the trap entrance creates a scent trail that draws raccoons from a significant distance. It works effectively at both dry land sets and near water sets, which makes it versatile across different trap locations.
The main trade-off with any fish-based bait is that cats are also attracted to fish. If domestic cats are common in your area, use Coon Gitter or a berry-based bait instead, or position the trap in a location that cats are unlikely to access. Avoid getting the oil on clothing or hands as the smell is persistent.
- Format: Liquid oil, 4 oz bottle
- Scent: Natural fish
- Works in: Cage traps, land sets, water sets
- Caution: Attracts cats, use with care in residential areas
Check Pete Rickard’s Fish Oil on Amazon
3. Ringtail Cocktail Bait
A smoked salmon paste formulated specifically for raccoon trapping. The smoking process intensifies the fish scent while giving it a different profile from raw fish, which some trappers find more effective in areas where raccoons have become cautious around standard fish odors. Paste format means it adheres well to the back wall of a cage trap or to a bait holder inside a DP trap without spreading or washing away in light rain.
Works well as a standalone bait or combined with Coon Gitter pellets for a two-scent approach that increases the draw range and appeal. A small amount goes a long way. Keep the container sealed between uses as the smell is strong.
- Format: Paste
- Scent: Smoked salmon fish
- Works in: Cage traps, DP traps
- Best use: Standalone or combined with sweet pellet bait for wider appeal
Check Ringtail Cocktail on Amazon
4. Wildlife Research Center Hard Core Raccoon Lure
A liquid attractant rather than a food bait. Hard Core Lure has been used by professional trappers for over 40 years and is valued for its long-range scent throw. A few drops on a cotton ball or piece of wood near the trap entrance draws raccoons from further away than food bait alone, making it useful when trapping in areas where raccoons are not concentrating near a specific food source. The burning-sweet scent profile is distinct from fish and berry baits, which can be an advantage when raccoons in an area have become trap-shy around the more common scents.
Best used as a trail lure in combination with a food bait rather than as the sole attractant. Apply it 10 to 15 feet from the trap to create a scent path leading toward the set.
- Format: Liquid lure, 4 oz bottle
- Scent: Burning-sweet compound
- Best use: Trail lure to draw raccoons toward a food-baited trap
- Track record: Used professionally for 40+ years
Check Hard Core Raccoon Lure on Amazon
5. Dunlap Very Berry DP Coon Bait
Formulated specifically for dog-proof traps, which is the most common trap type used in residential raccoon trapping because the narrow cylinder mechanism prevents dogs and cats from reaching the bait. Dunlap’s Very Berry uses an intense berry scent that raccoons find highly attractive and that is significantly less appealing to cats than fish-based baits, making it the cleanest choice for trapping in areas with domestic pets present.
Push a small amount into the DP trap cylinder to trigger level. The strong scent carries well enough that additional trail lure is usually not necessary in areas of confirmed raccoon activity. Consistent results from late summer through late fall when raccoons are actively feeding in preparation for winter.
- Format: Paste
- Scent: Intense berry
- Best for: Dog-proof traps in residential areas with pets present
- Season: Year-round, particularly effective late summer through fall
Check Dunlap Very Berry on Amazon
Natural Household Baits That Work
Commercial baits are the most consistent option, but several common household foods work reliably for cage trap situations where you need to bait a trap immediately without a specialist product.
Marshmallows are one of the best natural baits for cage traps. The sweet smell attracts raccoons strongly, they are large enough that a raccoon cannot pull them through the cage wire without entering fully, and they are almost never attractive to cats or dogs. Place two or three large marshmallows at the very back of the trap behind the trigger plate.
Whole uncracked eggs work well because raccoons frequently raid nests in the wild. A single fresh egg placed at the back of the trap is enough. The egg must remain uncracked as a cracked egg smells strongly and will attract a wider range of animals including skunks.
Sweet corn is one of the cleanest natural baits in terms of selectivity. Raccoons are strongly attracted to it, but most other common nuisance animals are not. A small pile of fresh or canned sweet corn at the back of a cage trap is effective and rarely catches non-target animals.
For trapping near water or in areas with high raccoon density, see our full guide on best raccoon traps for trap selection alongside bait choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best bait to catch raccoons?
For commercial bait, Coon Gitter sweet cherry pellets are the most consistently effective across different trap types and seasons.
For household food bait, marshmallows are the best option because they strongly attract raccoons without drawing cats, dogs, or skunks. Fish-based baits like Pete Rickard’s fish oil are highly effective but also attract cats, which is a consideration in residential areas.
2. What food attracts raccoons the most?
Raccoons are strongly attracted to sweet foods, fish, and fatty or protein-rich items. Marshmallows, sweet corn, smoked fish, fresh eggs, and fruit are all reliable attractants.
Their sense of smell is highly developed, so scent-strong baits consistently outperform plain food items. Commercial baits add concentrated scent compounds that carry further than food alone and are formulated to attract raccoons specifically rather than all wildlife.
3. How long does it take to catch a raccoon in a trap?
A trap baited correctly and placed on an active raccoon travel route can catch a raccoon the same night, typically in the first few hours after dark since raccoons are nocturnal feeders.
If a trap has not caught anything after two or three nights, the most common reasons are incorrect trap placement rather than bait failure. Relocate the trap to a different position along a known travel route and try again before changing the bait.
4. Is it legal to trap raccoons?
In most US states, trapping nuisance raccoons on your own property is legal, but regulations on relocation, release locations, and the trap types permitted vary significantly by state.
Some states require a permit for trapping raccoons. Many prohibit releasing a trapped raccoon more than a certain distance from the capture site. Check your state wildlife agency’s website before trapping to confirm what is permitted in your area.
5. What bait will not attract cats or dogs?
Sweet corn, marshmallows, and berry-based commercial baits like Dunlap Very Berry are the most selective for raccoons and the least likely to attract domestic animals.
Fish-based baits and meat scraps are effective for raccoons but consistently attract cats. If domestic pets are a concern, avoid fish or meat baits entirely and use sweet-scented pellets or marshmallows as your primary attractant.