Hey guys, I’ve got permission to trap a section of river, and there is a colony of beaver in a little ditch about 150 -200 yards off the river. The ditch has been dammed for a few years, so I’m thinking it’s a larger colony. I don’t have access to the ditch, and can only set off the river. Is this worth my time? Will they travel to the river often? I’m wondering if castor mounds will be effective once season opens? Thanks

Doesn't hurt to try. If anything you could still pick up other locals or loners passing by

Does the ditch drain to the river if so set up where it spills in. If not look for trails heading towards the ditch and set them up as well where they enter and exit the river.

I would say set wherever you can but use a heavy amount of castor.

Moosetrot

Are these bank beaver or have they built a lodge and have dams where they cross over for travel or food ?
I'd set 330's and stay away from the castor based lures and use them as a last resort because it can trigger a defend and attack response or in other words get even the trapper beaver chewed up protecting their territory.

But then my experience has been out west trapping beaver in creeks up in the mountains and foot hill streams where the there's little or no chance of someone educating the beaver your planning on targeting.

I wish you well and hope you catch a bunch !
Allan

Had a very similar situation to what you described. Setting the river was very productive. Used food lure with the idea of switching to castor lure later. The food lure kept producing so I didn't change. Cut a hole in the dam at the end of January and It was not repaired for a month. Never trapped close to the dam. Never say sign of any other trapper.

A good drifter spot. You got the colony plugged!

From my experience, I would think that the beaver are living in a bank den in the river. The colony in the ditch is like their "Week-End" house. Set the channels below the dam and the actual cross-over. These sets will also pick up any otter that come through.

Lots of good advice. But come spring those river beaver will be mixing with the ditch beaver and vice versa. Couple of sets at the ditch mouth should be a good start and maybe 2 more slightly DS from the mouth. A side note: be thankful you can trap the river because in this state you would need permission to trap anywhere along our rivers, lakes, creeks etc. unless its a Wildlife Management Area open to trapping. When you own the land here you also own the land under the water with all the owner rights attached....... the mike

The ditch beaver will mark their territory where the ditch enters the river. Catch them there.