With the river way up I had an opportunity to do some experimenting with beaver floats recently. With most lodges mostly submerged and bank dens completely submerged the beaver were scattered about and resting where they could.

I cabled this float off to a tree back in a marsh and every time I paddled out to check on it there was a beaver resting on top of a 'rat hut watching me, not further than 15 yards from the tree I attached the float onto. As I approached he'd slink off the 'rat hut and disappear into the brush. And every time I checked the float I had a muskrat in the #330.

After four checks, and a muskrat each check, I was greeted with a castor mound adjacent to the float. Apparently the beaver was tiring of me playing games with changeups of lure and decided to let me know it was time to go away. That castor mound must've taken some work to build up, as there was at least three feet of water on top the island this tree was growing from.

You can see this new castor mound in the shadow of the tree between the canoe and the tree.

So the floats worked fairly well on the beaver? (judging by the ones in the canoe)

They were about the only set that is working right now, unless you're working the very shoreline. It's WaterWorld.

I like them water level not an issue sure gotta carry them stable water i'd just carry a 330 and lure not going to be this year

Place some castor on the side of the tree and hang a snare tight to the tree. Beaver circles tree walaa beaver caught.

Yea, that works, but not enough water to drown the beaver and it's dropping fast. If I can't drown 'em, I don't set 'em.

Your sposd to sometimes throw them a curve by putting mud pie on the float with castor lure. The floating castor mound set!

I've got both castor and poplar bud oil with the scraped willow chunks. Doggone 'rat kept getting in there.

Poplar bud oil Is a great rat lure. It's even better then Lennons rat all call.

I remember seeing an article in FFG on how to make these floats. Does anyone remember which issue? I'll have to search for my back copy and get to work on making a few. I hadn't thought about how useful they would be in the flooded streams and rivers we have this spring.

What’s your dimensions on those Muskrat? I have a few places I’d like to try these at

Those are 2"x4"s, though they don't measure 2" by 4" exactly, not sure if this is a standard up there in Nova Scotia or not. They measure 1 1/2" by 3 1/2", and we call 'em 2x4s.

Anyway, for the Canadians, these 2x4s (3.8 cm x 8.9 cm) are 76 cm long and the outside measurement from outside tip to tip of the 2x4s is 56.5 cm. That outside measure is what I get by spreading the 2x4s apart and snugging that Belisle #330 in there. Might differ on other breeds of traps.

I believe the archives also contain info on beaver floats.

Incorporate a H stand on your float and your good to go.

I have seen a set where a bodygrip trap was set on poles to rise and fall with the water by using a couple of 1ltr plastic pop bottles tied to the spring eyes.A swim thru set.

Or they could just cut a slot In each 2x4 and slide the springs In.

Hmmmmm . . . . .

To avoid rats, try forming a “T” with the trigger wires and put trigger on bottom. Submerge trap so only 2-3 inches are above water.

I had lots of rat catches on my beaver float too. I pointed both trigger wires straight up and slid a reed over them to make them obvious to a muskrat and moved them way over to one side. Then I started catching beaver instead of muskrats.

For dimensions just lay your 330 on the ground and build a triangle of wood to fit.

The most productive method I've found for using mine is when I have beaver activity in an area with lots of reeds/cattails but no decent bank to make a traditional set. In that case I make a castor mound on the back of the float and then shove it into the reeds until the trap is about flush with reed wall. Usually anchor it with a cinder block.

I've also had success using it in open water but shoving it back in the reeds works great.

And hmmmmm . . . . again.

And THAT was worth the price of admission.