I have two creeks on my property that join together leading to a swampy area. Over the last year or so beaver(s) have moved out from the swampy are further upstream on the creeks chewing trees, building dams, causing flooding on my trails, etc. A week ago, I placed 3 conibear 330 dam-break sets along the creeks and had instant success with a 40+ pound beaver caught overnight. Since that time, I have had zero success. I have moved one of the traps further downstream on a dam-break coming off of a pond that the beavers have made. Additionally, I broke a dam further up stream to see if there would be activity there. In all I have broke 5 dams in the past week and none of these dams have been repaired and I have only caught one large beaver. I think it would be unlikely, but could there have been only 1 beaver causing all of the damage? Should I leave the dam-break sets out for longer and just give it time? Should I switch to another method? Any thoughts/comments/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Vabbing scent…. Should do the trick….


All jokes aside, several here will help you shortly.

If you can find the lodge they are easy to get. They almost always have a deeper run area that you can catch them in. Look for the places they have been going out of the water to get their trees. I would tear all the dams out completely and drop the water. I have caught a ton of them by sticking a cattle panel across in front of the dam then cutting holes in it and mounting a trap in the hole making it the only way they can get through. Also sometimes if you pester them enough they will leave but more will be back

And get ready to start catching turtles. That is the worst part of warm weather trapping

I’m no expert but the fact that they haven’t tried to repair the breaks in the dam makes me think your beaver problem is solved. At least for now

I appreciate the advice. Unfortunately, I have not found a lodge, but I will definitely continue to look for that and areas of new activity/tree chewing to help me focus in on setting traps. I will also break down as many of the dams as I can. If they are gone (for now) then great the water level will come down, and if they build back then I also have an idea where to set some traps. I have the check out getting a cattle panel. Thanks again!

Also look for floating green vegetation like cattails and what I call arrow leaf ( it will have a white with yellow tip “bloom”). Especially as things green up they will feed on this emerged vegetation.

Edit: Google tells me this is Golden Club.

You may not see a traditional lodge. Many will dig bank dens. Look for holes in the bank at or below water line. There’s usually air holes up on top which may be covered with sticks.