I’m new to trapping beaver. My question is when trapping near a dam are you better off in front on top or below the dam?

If there is shallow, narrow water below the dam, that's a killer blind set location for beavers with 330s. Problem is, it's also a killer set for otter, Coons, nutria, and snapping turtles with 330s. A lot of times, the first set (or 2 or 3) is setting blind 330s below the lowest dam. It's good to set multiples if it's a location likely to have other critters plugging traps. A lot of my beaver come from this set.


It's usually easier to make castor sets in the deeper waters.


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If it's a full blown colony, make sets between the den/lodge and primary dam, primary and middle dam, middle dam and lowest dam. Knock out as many as possible. I don't use lure if I can help it. If the water is high due to flooding, it's gonna be made much easier by using lure.



I like the idea of draining the lake and blind setting pinch points and channels, but I haven't personally tried it yet. I'd be concerned with it possibly putting them on high alert with that approach.

I am trapping on a small creek and only know of one dam

Yes it does,Aix,you need to keep your sets submerged(hidden)in channels after draining the pond.There should be a few deadly natural spots in the deeper runs under old logs etc,noticable which are sure fire spots.

You would be correct ^^. They will be on high alert and may move out
Personally 99% of the time I think its best to wait until you caught most of the active beavers in the area ( if you are trying to catch them all) THEN lower the water and move traps and snares.
The only exception is when you have 1-2 beavers in a large deep water pond where no good sets can be found.
In this case, I would try castor mound sets and if that fails... pull the plug