These sets are not productive for beaver, and otter will readily use them. Otter generally avoid areas where beaver are active, so make sets as close as possible to active lodges. Raccoon sets along water edges are dangerous to otters. Place the trap away from the water's edge. Place sets well into feeding areas such as a cornfield or woodlot.
Trails leading between waterways are potential otter travel lanes.
Although raccoon also use these trails, avoid them completely or use foothold sets on dry ground. When placing bodygrip traps or snares under water, place the trap near the bottom and place a large dry pole about 10 to 12 inches above the trap. Beaver tend to dive toward the bottom when they encounter a barrier. Otter are not inclined to dive as deep to avoid a barrier, so they often will swim between the pole and the trap. Foothold Foothold traps were used to trap the otter that were reintroduced in Indiana.