I've been trapping a new location for beavers. It's not a dam, but an open body of water, with a side channel formation. Like a tip of a boot. How many beavers can I take without depleting the colony ?

Tell you start taking the young of the year beavers

From my experience, if it's a good location near a river or creak it will quickly become restocked even if you catch them all. I trapped a large slew about 2-3 miles long a few years ago and caught 41 in about two weeks before I stopped seeing any signs of life. Then within two months new beavers were already there building the dams back up.

If you really don't want to catch them all then just follow Mousey Trappers advice and stay away from trapping the lodge entrances.

How much activity/sign? How big is the house? How big is the feed pile? Do you know how long they been there? Plenty of feed for beaver in the immediate area? Are there other beaver in the area but in more inaccessible areas? Are others trapping the area? Are these beaver a problem? A lot of factors I take in on my decision.

For me... in general with a well established house with a decent feed pile, I assume a family of 2 adults, 2 two-year olds and 2 kits. With no issues with the beaver and possibly another trapper in the area, I would generally take two, leave two for the next guy and that leaves two for seed. But that's me, a guy that just enjoys trapping. If you know there is plenty of beaver in the area, I may take more. If the area is good other beaver will move in. If the beaver are a problem, the DEC, Township or Owner will be taking all options to get rid of them anyway, go at it!

If you only plan on taking two, don't trap near the house, you most likely will catch kits. Hope this helps, best of luck to you this season.