Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Otters and beavers

I know there have been lots of posts here about otters and beavers and the damage they do. The otters got most if not all of my bream aometime back. We were still able to catch some nice sized bass though. I got rid of them then and was getting ready to do restocking when to my surprise, this past weekend I saw an otter swimming in the pond.They are back and there are signs of fish being eaten. The creek that runs through the property also has a beaver dam again and the water is backed up. It's back to the traps,etc before I consider restocking again.
I really tried to have a good fish pond for the family to enjoy and with the help of a lot you I tried to do all the right things but I have to admit this otter thing is tough.

Jim,

I feel for ya. I have otters within a half a mile of my fish farm and have to wonder if it's just a matter of time before they show up. One thing I have going for me is I have no streams on the property, and I'm at a much higher elevation than the lake they are in, but I do run into a ditch at the lower part of the property. I've had a beaver and muskrats come in via that ditch!

Trouble is my state has reintroduced them and is estactic about their success (yeah right). I have to wonder how sympathetic they will be if they start eating me out of my profits and hard work. I would almost bet they would drag their feet on allowing me to trap or shoot them.

If that would be the case it would be shoot, shovel, and shut up.

Been there, done that!

When our first beaver showed up my folks thought he was so cute, that was until he killed a couple of pin oaks and tunneled into the dam. During some high water that year the beaver tunnel broke though the back side of the dam and it ended up costing several thousand dollars to repair with heavy equipment.

Beavers are no longer welcome at our pond.

Jim,

I know how you feel and yes it is tough. Do all the right things, spend hard earned money, and still get punished. The only answer I have is to keep on trucking...just like Shorty and Cecil said shoot and try again. A great pond is not an easy thing to have and those who have them, have a treasure.

On the way home from work last night, I braked and swerved for the biggest mink I'd ever seen (I've seen/caught some nice ones). About 2 minutes later it hit me, that was probably an otter. Otters are spreading quickly. I think we are all probably going to have to start checking our ponds often and possibly doing the SSSU.