Old beaver are smart and easier to snare under the ice.I make a ladder [two long dead poles]with pieces of dead wood nailed crossways leaving a hole near the bottom. Then afix a #330 conibear trap or a fox/coyote snare in the opening.If you take a shovel/axe and tap the ice around the house you will hear the ringing of thin ice where the beaver are travelling[also see bubbles under the ice] Feel with a long pole the bottom til you locate a ditch or deep spot this is their tunnel. They may have two or three entrances.With the activity chopping around the house they may hole up for a few days or you will catch the young foolish ones first......be patient..........Harold