Beaver

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Beaver Lake was conducted on June 21, 2017 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used at two stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 11 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2017 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Beaver Lake is in good health as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River-St. Cloud Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Beaver Lake is a 152 acre lake located 6 miles north of Kimball in southeastern Stearns County. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet and a small watershed dominated by row crops. A DNR owned public access is located on the east side of the lake near Highway 15. Beaver Lake is managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass and was last surveyed in 2004. Anglers can expect good fishing for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and panfish. Emergent and floating leaf vegetation covered about two thirds of the shoreline in September, primarily cattail, bulrush, and waterlilies. Submerged vegetation was not surveyed, but chara, coontail, and northern watermilfoil were the dominant species in 2004. Water clarity was good; Secchi depth was 9.0 feet in late June and MPCA data show a summer average of 13 feet over the last ten years. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish to 23 feet in late June. Northern Pike numbers were above the expected range of values for similar lakes and little changed from 2004. Lengths ranged from 11.5 to 31.2 inches with an average length and weight of 21.0 inches and 2.1 pounds. Most pike were small; only 16% were longer than 24 inches. Largemouth Bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing on May 12. The catch rate of 134/hour was far above the Sauk Rapids area daytime average of 43/hour, but similar to 2004 results. Lengths ranged from 5.2 to 19.4 inches with an average length of 10.5 inches. Of catchable size fish (>8 inches), 31% were longer than 15 inches. Bluegill numbers were higher than in 2004, and above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 3.0 to 8.3 inches with an average length of 5.0 inches. Black Crappie numbers were above the expected range of values for gill nets, but within the expected range of values for trap nets and were the highest on record. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 4.5 to 10.1 inches, with an average length of 7.5 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were below the expected range of values and lower than 2004 results. High numbers of Northern Pike likely limit Yellow Perch survival. Lengths ranged from 5.3 to 8.9 inches with an average length of 6.3 inches. No White Sucker or bullhead species were sampled in 2017, although low numbers were caught in previous surveys. Other species sampled in 2017 included: Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Rock Bass.

Beaver Lake is located three miles south of the town of Luxemburg in Stearns County. The maximum depth of the lake is 27 feet. The public access is located on the east side off of State Highway 15. Black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, largemouth bass, and yellow perch are all present in the lake. In July of 2004, a lake survey was conducted on Beaver Lake. Sampling revealed the following information about the fish populations.The northern pike catch rate increased slightly from the 1994 survey (13.5/gill net) to 2004 (19.0/net). This catch rate was greater than the expected range for lakes similar to Beaver Lake. The average size of northern pike caught in gill nets (2.3 lbs) was similar to 1994, and the largest pike sampled was 28 inches in length. The catch rate of yellow perch (5.0/gill net) fell significantly from 1994 (26.5/net), but remained within the expected range for lakes similar to Beaver. Most of the yellow perch sampled were small (5.5-6.5 inches) and growth rates were slow.Largemouth bass were sampled in spring by night electrofishing. The catch rate was over twice the median rate for lakes in the Montrose management area. Of the catchable size bass (greater than 8 inches), 30 percent were greater than 12 inches. The largest bass sampled in 2004 was just over 18 inches.The catch rate of black crappie was similar to the 1994 survey, and was within expected values for lakes similar to Beaver. Crappie had a average length of 8.9 inches, and the majority were 3 years old. Growth rates were relatively fast. The catch rate of bluegill in Beaver Lake (39.8/net) decreased from 1994 (90.2/net), but remained within expected levels for this lake type. The average weight of bluegill was low and their growth was considered slow by statewide averages. The majority of bluegill were 4.0-6.5 inches, with a maximum of 7.1 inches.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, and Black Crappie 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 27 feet and a mean depth of 13.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Beaver is from 2017. 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.