Hey guys, how do you go about trapping beaver on rivers and creeks when you can’t find the bank den or slides? I’ve been told that castor mounds can spook them in situations like this. Thanks

castor mounds work

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Outside of slides, I run castor-involved sets exclusively on the rivers.

i'm all about findin that little spot they like to sit and nibble and rest.

Castor sets worked well on rivers for me. Another set I like to use is cut a small poplar tree. Find a nice open area where the water drops off fast. Stick the tree in the bank. Set a foothold for a front or back foot catch depending on the trap and water depth. I only used drowning rods.

make your own slides and when you set them, do not use lure on all of them but Use BTO and Castorium and Sac Oil based lures and Birch Oil and Poplar lures.

ANY lil bay/indentation in the bank is a great place to set

Ave if you really want to have fun trapping river beaver, mine just came up 10+ feet since yesterday. At that point they just want to know who's still alive...

Trapping beaver on medium sized river in spring right after ice out can be extremely productive,although it doesnt last long.
Other than that,a lot of beaver were taken on bigger rivers in spring right after ice out by shooting in the morning and evening.20-30 a day for a couple hours shooting not uncommon.Also doesnt last long -maybe a week or 10 days.
Other than that trapping on big rivers is not very productive where I am.
Beavers cant really live on the bigger rivers here.Their feed beds get washed away before freeze up and the water fluctuates too much.There are lots of beaver in the smaller tributaries of the bigger rivers though,where they can stabilize the water level.The beavers in the tributaries use the large river as a dispersal highway in spring-this is why they are productive in spring.

Do you mind if I ask, how big do you make the castor mound? And do you just use mud from right around where you make it?

Ave,never heard of castor mounds on rivers and creeks scaring beaver.But then you can hear all kinds of things--remember talk is cheap.
I have used castor mounds on big and small rivers,both fall and spring with very good results.
The castor mound and 330s are my main set,and have resulted in an awful lot of beaver pelts.
Tom

I'll usually slop a handful of mud up on the bank. Sometimes I just shove a stick in the bank with the castor on it and go. If you can find a pile of leaves to put under the mud it's better visually. But that's usually reserved for "normal" beaver colonies as I hardly ever find a mound on the river.

Haha! I would image that would be tricky to set lol. What do you think beaver and muskrats do when water levels rise that much?

Thanks! I have messed around with 330s and castor mounds, and have had some success, but it’s hard since our 330s must be completely submerged.

They try to find some spot that's dry to take breaks. Then kick whatever's butt that wanders by. Especially in Muskrats. They go into hyper territorial mode. Every castor mound I make or dry spot on a creek or river gets plastered by muskrat droppings.

The best advice I have gotten about river beaver is treat the river like its THE major highway. If you buildit they will come. I caught my first beaveron a river and he was a big one. If you have no other luck other thanfind dome fresh chews then set what ever trap you have and expect results.

Oh and one last thing. If you suspect or fear a trap shy beaver is in play then get snares in the water.

What beaver sign are you seeing?

Coon Creek Stu Today (timely) on castor mound set. I know it's not the big river but still castor mound set. Thanks Stu!

Lots of cuttings and peeled sticks. The bank is very steep, and is the water is about 6 foot deep, so I can’t really search for their bank den.