A cage-type animal trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding open a door for closing the trap access opening. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the door of the trap by an actuating cable. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the cable which enables the door to move from an opened position to a closed position to trap the animal inside the trap.