Beaver

Beaver Lake is 50 acre lake located 12 miles east of Marcell in the Mississippi River watershed. Beaver is in ecological lake class 33. Class 33 lakes are small lakes with moderate depth and clarity and relatively hard water. Other area lakes in class 33 include Forest, Spring and Little North Star. The 2012 assessment was conducted in conjunction with a population assessment on adjacent Antler Lake. The two lakes are connected by a shallow channel which is navigable by small boats. This is the only designated access to Beaver Lake. The only previous test-netting on Beaver Lake was conducted in 1983. Due to the small number of nets set, reported catches are a relatively crude measure of population abundance and size structure. Northern pike appeared to be relatively abundant with a catch rate of 8.5/gill net. Sampled pike ranged from 12.6 to 31.9 inches with a mean length of 22.0 inches. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish reaching 22.6 inches at five years. Recruitment appeared relatively consistent with ages 1 and 3-8 represented in the sample. Black crappie were sampled at the lake class average of 2.0/gill net. Sampled fish ranged from 4.9 to 8.9 inches. The 1983 survey reported much higher catches of black crappie at 19.3/gill net. Erratic recruitment commonly results in variable year class strength and boom and bust population cycles for black crappie. Largemouth bass were sampled above the expected range at 2.5/gill net. Sampled fish ranged from 10.4 to 14.1 inches. Bluegill were sampled near the lake class median at 11.0/trap net. Size structure was poor with a mean length of 5.2 inches, and no fish over 7 inches in the sample. The 1983 survey reported a similar catch rate and size structure. Other species sampled included pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish, brown bullhead and yellow bullhead.

NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE IS QUITE HIGH WHILE PERCH NUMBERS ARE LOW. THE POPULATONS OF OTHER FISHES ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in Beaver. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Beaver. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Beaver has a maximum depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Beaver is from 2012. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Beaver in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.