I am new to trapping. (Just getting that out of the way) So far i caught two squirrels and one jack rabbit with snare set outside of the holes. My question is how would you go about making a beaver or muskrat trap? (i have a river close by)Thanks for all the replies in advance.

you can snare them the same way you did the other critters..I've seen all sorts of homemade contraptions especially for beaver, and sometimes have to scratch my head, cuz they are less effective than a simple snare, plus leg holds and conibears are widely available, and not all that expensive.

#110 coni's for rats, and 330's for beaver...Just about anything under a 1.5's are suitable for rats, some folks actually prefer the 1.5, and use it as the drowning rig (heavy for a rat).

Big leg holds are usually used for beaver #4's and up..but they are catchable in #2's targeting the front legs..just kinda narrows your catch %, as the hind foot is large and can spring the trap w/o a catch.