i just made a boat trip around my pond and found the otter den. i was hoping they were only visiting. i know he/they have been here for over a month, i can only imagine how much damage they have done. i have caught a few (4 i think) over the last couple of years. some in the pond, and some in the beaver pond below on my pond. i have read where they do minimal damage to ponds because they only stay a short time and kinda make their way on to other ponds. i think these found out my pond is a honey hole and stayed.